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1 

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5 

6 

HISTORY 


OF  THS 


POLK   ADMINISTRATION. 


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LUCIEN  B.  CHASE, 

A  MEMBER  OF  THE   TWENTT-NINTH  AND  TmRTIETH 
CONGRESSES. 


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NEW- YORK:  u!     5 

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Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1850,  by 

LuciEN  B.  Chase, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District 

of  New-Yorlt. 


John  F.  Tbow, 

Printer  and  Stercotyper 

49, (51  and 53  Annst.,  N.  Y. 


PREFACE 


It  was  with  a  just  appreciation  of  the  diflBcult  task 
before  me,  that  I  commenced  the  history  of  Mr, 
Polk's  administration.  I  have  endeavored  to  de- 
lineate, and  I  hope  with  impartiality,  the  transac- 
tions which  signalized  that  eventful  epoch.  Having 
been  in  Congress  during  the  presidential  term  of 
Mr.  Polk,  many  occurrences  recorded  in  these  pages 
passed  under  my  own  observation,  which  greatly 
facilitated  my  researches.  I  have  incorporated  co- 
pious notes,  containing  arguments  upon  both  sides 
of  important  questions,  for  the  purpose  of  pi-esent- 
ing  the  views  of  Mr.  Polk's  contemporaries.  The 
work  is  respectfully  submitted  to  the  consideration 
of  my  countrymen,  M'ith  the  hope  that  they  will 
deal  gently  with  its  faults,  in  return  for  the  infor- 
mation which  I  trust  it  contains. 

The  events  which  transpired  during  the  admi- 
nistration of  James  K.  Polk  will  exercise  a  vast 
influence  upon  the   destiny  of   this  confederacy. 


32S1; 


Pacific  N.  W.  History  Dent 

PKOVINCIAL   LiBRARV 
VICTORIA,   B.  C. 


■w 


IV 


PREFACE. 


Future  generations  will  designate  it  as  an  age  of 
progress  and  reform.  History  Avill  preserve  the  evi- 
dences of  the  chivalry  and  military  enthusiasm 
which,  during  the  Mexican  war,  covered  the  Amer- 
ican arms  with  immortal  renown. 

Too  brief  a  period  has  elapsed  since  those  scenes 
occurred,  to  justify  the  belief  that  they  will  be 
weighed  at  the  present  day  with  an  impartial  judg- 
ment. Political  and  personal  animosities  have  not 
yet  been  allayed  by  the  soothing  hand  of  time. 
Mr.  Polk,  but  a  few  months  ago,  retired  from  his 
elevated  position  only  to  be  gathered  to  the  tomb. 
Posterity,  however,  will  regard  with  unprejudiced 
minds  the  brilliant  career  of  that  administration, 
which  for  startling  incidents,  bold  and  comprehen- 
sive policy,  and  grand  and  successful  design,  stands 
unrivalled  upon  the  pages  of  American  history. 


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CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 


Early  History  of  James  K.  ?olk — His  Election  to  Congress. — Chosen  Go- 
vernor of  Tennessee. — Influences  which  produced  his  nomination  for  the 
Presidency  in  1844.— Presidential  contest  of  1844. — Elevated  to  the  Pre- 
sidency.— Selection  of  his  Cabinet.        .•••..        9 

CHAPTER  II. 

First  Annual  Message  of  Mr.  Polk. — Annexation  of  Texas. — Adjustment  of 
the  Oregon  Question.        .         .  .30 


CHAPTER  III. 

Different  races  in  Mexico. — The  information  is  received  there  that  Joseph 
Bonaparte  was  placed  upon  the  throne  of  Spain. — Course  pursued  by  the 
Mexicans. — Rupture  between  the  Natives  and  Europeans. — Insurrection 
headed  by  Hidalgo. — Plan  of  Igualo. — Iturbide  proclaimed  Emperor. — He 
is  banished,  and  on  his  return  to  Mexico,  is  shot. — Revolutions. — Santa 
Anna  elected  President. — Texas  Revolution 55 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Boundaries  of  Texas. — Becomes  a  member  of  the  Confederacy  of  1824. 
— The  Texas  which  was  obtained  from  France  in  1803,  and  which  was 
ceded  to  Spain  in  1819. — Grant  of  land  to  Moses  Austin. — Settlement  of 
Texas. — General  Cos  with  a  military  force  crosses  the  Nueces. — Colli- 
sion of  Arms. — Cos  is  force<l  to  surrender. — Santa  Anna  invades  Texas  in 
person. — The    garrison    of  Alamo  slaughtered. — Murder   of  Fanning's 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


coiiimnnd. — Bnltle  of  Snn  Jacinto. — Santa  Anna  makes  a  treaty  with 
tlie  'I'l'xana. — The  Mexicans  evacuate  Texas. — The  claim  of  Texas  to 
the  Rio  Uiande. 77 


CHAPTER  V. 

Independence  of  Texas. — She  applies  for  admission  into  the  Union. — Acquisi- 
tion of  territory  by  .Mr.  Jeireraoii. — Transfer  of  Texas  to  S|)aiii  by  the 
Treaty  of  1819. — Efforts  of  President  Adams  to  have  the  title  rcconveyed, 
— Territory  acquired  while  Mr.  Webster  was  Secretary  of  Slate. — Kfforts 
of  England  and  France  to  prevent  nimexation. — Passage  of  the  aimexa- 
tion  resolutions. — Extension  of  our  boundary 97 


CHAPTER  VI.| 

American  Consul  at  Mexico  directed  to  open  negotiations. — The  Mexicana 
agree  to  receive  a  conmiissiiiner  — Mr  Slidell  appointed  Miniater  Pleni- 
potentiary.— The  Mexicans  refuse  to  receive  him  in  that  character. — 
Causes  of  rupture  which  had  long  existed. — The  Mexicans  raise  troops. 
— Herrera  forced  to  resign  ii  favor  of  General  Paredes. — Orders  issued  to 
the  Mexican  commanders  upon  the  frontiers  to  attack  the  Americans. — 
Course  pursued  by  the  opposition  members  of  Congress. — Assault  upon 
the  foreign  policy  of  Mr.  Polk. Ill 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Forward  movement  of  the  American  troops. — The  number  and  discipline  of 
the  American  army. — General  Taylor  reaches  Point  Isabel. — Fort  Brown 
erected  — The  Mexicans  cross  the  ilio  Grande. — General  Taylor  moves 
fion'i  Fort  Brown  to  Point  Isabel. — Bombardment  of  Fort  Brown. — Battle 
of  Palo  Alto. — Resoca  de  la  Palnia. — The  action  of  Congress. — Reorga- 
nization of  the  army. — The  object  for  which  the  war  was  prosecuted  — 
Difliculty  with  General  Scott — Requisitions  made  upon  the  Governors  of 
several  States  for  volunteers. — Plan  of  campaign. — Action  of  General 
Gaines. — GeneralTaylor  marches  from  Camargo  in  the  direction  of  Mon- 
terey.— Capture  of  Monterey. — Internal  offairs  of  Mexico. — Pass  granted 
tj  Santa  Anna — General  Wool  marches  upon  Monclova. — General  Kear- 
ney takes  Santa  F6. — Colonel  Doniphan  advances  upon  Chihuahua. .^Vic- 
tory of  Sacramento. — General  Kearney  ptarts  for  California. — Operations 
of  Colonel  Fremont  and  Commodores  Sloat  and  Stockton.  Orders  issued 
to  raise  contributions  from  the  Mexicans. — General  Taylor  advises  the 
adoption  of  a  defensive  line  — Preparations  made  to  attack  Vera  Cruz. 
— Civil  Governments  authorized  by  the  President. — Movements  of  Colonel 
Price 134 


*-«. 


CONTENTS. 


'"*^ 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


%, 


General  Scott  directed  to  proceed  to  the  seat  of  war. — General  Taylor  ad- 
visi'd  to  act  upon  the  defensive. — Complaints  of  General  Tnylur — Movc- 
•  menis  of  Santa  Anna. — He  advances  upon  Agua  Nuevu. — Dntlle  of  Due- 
na  Vista. — General  Hcott  takes  Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle  of  San  Juan 
De  Ulloa. — Capture  of  Alvarado. — Victory  of  Cerro  Gordo. — .falapa  and 
Perote  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. — Appointment  of  Mr.  Trist 
as  Conmiissioner  to  Mexico. — Pu«bla  is  surrendered  to  General  Worth. 
— Arrival  of  reinforcements  from  the  United  States. — The.  American 
army  enter  the  Valley  of  Mexico 187 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Battle  of  Contreras.  —  Worth's  division  storms  San  Antonio. —  Victory  of 
Chitrubusco. — Armistice  granted. — Negotiations  broken  off. — Sanguinary 
battle  of  Mulino  del  Key. — Storming  of  Chaputtepec. — Surrender  of  the 
city. — Santa  Anna  resigns  the  Presidency. — Attacks  Colonel  Childs  at 
Puebla. — Major  Lally  forces  his  way  liom  Vera  Cruz  to  Jalapa. — He  is 
joined  by  General  Lane  with  2,5UU  men. — Battle  of  Huamantla, — Powers 
invested  in  Mr.  Trist  revoked. — Contributions  exacted. — Treaty  concluded 
by  Mr.  Trist. — General  Scott  recalled. — G'.-neral  Butler  appointed  to  the 
command  of  the  army. — Treaty  of  Guadaloupe  Hidalgo. — Americans 
evacuate  Mexico. — The  army  of  the  United  States. — Territory  acquired 
from  Mexico. — Its  value 887 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  Tariff. — Opinions  of  Messrs.  Clay  and  Polk  upon  that  question. — Mes- 
sage of  Mr.  Polk. — Report  of  the  Secretary  of  tli<,'  Treasury. — Passage  of 
the  Tariff  of  1846. — Arguments  of  the  friends  and  opponents  of  free  trade. 
— The  Constitutional  Treasury  established. — Discussions  in  the  Constitu- 
tional Convention  — Pnbli  Debt  of  the  United  States. — Proposed  Tax 
upon  Tea  and  Coffee. 307 


CHAPTER  XI 


Internal  Improvements. — Contest  between  Congress  and  thi-  Executive  upon 
that  question. — Discussions  upon  the  power  granted  Congu-ss  to  author', , 
the  Stales  to  lay  duties  upon  tonnage  in  the  Constitutional  Convention. — 
Pubhc  lands, — Pre-emption  rights —Lands' granted  to  several  States. — 


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Land  granted  to  soldiere. — Post- Office  Deportment. — Rales  of  postage. 
—Foreign  mailB. — Linee  CBtublUbed  to  Chagrea  and  California. — The 
Navy 396 


CHAPTER  A.X. 

The  veto  power  exercised  by  Mr.  Polk. — The  instruutions  to  Mr.  Slidell. — 
The  slavery  question.— The  Wilmot  Proviso — The  slavery  question  in  the 
Constitutional  Convention. — The  Missouri  compromise — Territorial  Go- 
vernment for  Oregon. — Admission  of  Wisconsin  and  Iowa  into  the  Union. 
— Progress  made  m  the  arts  and  sciences. — State  of  American  literature 
and  education, — Conclusion 429 


IJIE  POLK  ADMINISTRATION. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Early  History  of  James  K.  Polk— Hi»  Election  to  Congreis.— C'.iosen  Go- 
vernor of  Tennessee. — Influences  which  produced  his  nomination  for  the 
Presidency  in  1844.— Presidenlial  contest  of  1844.— Klevated  to  the  Pre- 
sidency.— Selection  of  his  Cabinet. 

Ja5ie8  Knox  Polk,  the  eleventh  President  of  the 
United  States,  was  boi-u  in  Mecklenburgh  connty, 
North  Carolina,  on  the  2d  of  November,  1795. 
He  was  the  eldest  of  ten  children.  His  ancestoi-s 
emigrated  from  Ireland  during  the  first  part  of  the 
eighteenth  centuiy,  and  settled  in  the  State  of 
Maryland.  A  portion  of  the  family  removed,  fii-st 
to  Pennsylvania,  and  about  the  year  1750  they 
located  in  North  Caiolina.  In  1806,  Major  Samuel 
Polk,  the  father  of  James  K.  Polk,  emigrated  to 
Tennessee  and  settled  upon  Duck  River.  It  was 
here  that  young  Polk  endured  the  hardships  of  a 
border  life  until  his  constitution,  which  was  then 
quite  delicate,  came  near  giving  way  under  the  toil 
and  fatigue  to  which  he  wjis  exjK)sed.  Yielding  to 
the  persuasions  of  his  son,  Major  Polk  enabled  him 


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10 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


to  enter  the  college  at  Chapel  Hill,  North  Carolina, 
in  1815,  where  he  graduated  in  three  years,  with 
the  highest  honors.  He  was  distinguished  at  col- 
lege for  laborious  application  to  his  studies,  and  by 
a  strict  conformity  to  the  regulations  of  the  insti- 
tution. He  was  always  present  at  recitations,  and 
mvariably  attended  morning  and  evening  prayers 
in  the  Chapel. 

When  he  completed  his  collegiate  education,  he 
entered  the  office  of  the  celebrated  Felix  Grundy 
to  ])repare  himself  for  the  practice  of  the  law.  He 
conmienced  the  arduous  duties  of  his  profession  in 
1820,  in  the  county  of  Maury,  and  at  once  assumed 
a  high  position  at  the  bar. 

In  1821  he  was  Clerk  to  the  Legislature  of  Ten- 
nessee. His  political  career  commenced  in  1823, 
when  he  Avas  elected  a  member  of  the  Legislature 
of  Tennessee.  In  1825  he  was  elevated  to  a  seat  in 
Congress.  He  was  re-elected  every  succeeding  two 
yeai-s  until  1830.  In  1835  he  was  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  to  which  position  he  was 
re-elected  in  1837.  In  1839,  he  was  chosen  Gover- 
nor of  Tennessee,  and  in  1844  President  of  the 
United  States.  The  rapidity  with  which  he  was 
elevated,  step  by  step,  to  the  highest  position  on 
earth,  is  indeed  remarkal)le,  and  proves  conclu- 
sively that  his  success  was  not  the  result  of  circum- 
stances alone. 

No  one  who  knew  Mr.  Polk  ever  considered 
him  a  l)rilliant  genius.  His  mind  possessed  solidity 
rather  than  imagination.  His  perception  was  intui- 
tive, and  his  memory  i-etentive  to  an  e.xtraordinary 


I 


POLK     ADMINISTKATION. 


11 


degree,  while  Lis  judgment  rarely  led  him  into 
error.  His  manners  were  remarkably  affahle,  and 
always  made  an  impression  upon  those  who  knew 
him.  Among  his  intimate  friends,  he  indulged  his 
wit  and  humor  with  perfect  freedom,  and  they 
always  found  him  a  pleasant  and  instructive  com- 
panion. 

The  career  of  Mr.  Polk  was  as  remarkable  for 
its  brilliancy  as  for  the  substantial  fi'uits  which  it 
produced.  The  prominent  trait  of  his  character 
was  extraordinary  energy.  In  college,  at  the  bar, 
in  his  political  canvasses,  and  in  the  discharge  of 
his  executive  duties,  he  was  alike  distinguished  for 
his  untiring  industiy  and  indomitable  will.  This 
frequently  induced  him  to  devote  his  attention  too 
much  to  minute  details,  and  .had  the  effect  of  im- 
pairing his  constitution.  It  was  in  his  canvasses 
that  he  exhibited  all  the  resources  of  his  mind. 
Disaster  only  had  the  effect  of  arousing  his  powers, 
and  stimulated  him  to  win  victory  where  others 
were  subdued  l)y  defeat.  Tliree  times  .  ;  canvassed 
the  State  of  Tennessee  as  a  candidate  for  Govei'nor. 
In  1839  he  was  elected  over  Newton  Cannon,  and 
in  iS41  and  1843  he  was  defeated  by  James  C. 
Jones.  No  one  who  has  not  experienced  the 
fatigues  of  such  a  struggle,  can  appreciate  its 
laljoi-s.  Undismayed  by  the  task  before  him,  Col. 
Polk  always  commenced  the  contest  buoyant  with 
hope.  He  invari.-ibly  succeeded  in  inspiring  his 
friends  with  his  own  enthusiasm ;  no  ol)stacle  could 
deter  liim  from  an  enei-getic  discharge  of  his  duty. 
Suljsisting  upon  the  plainest  food,  and  perfectly 


12 


HISTOKY     OF     THJK 


temperate  in  Lis  habits,  he  accustorub*}  y^Mlf  to  n 
rigid  system  of  diet,  which  al<;ue  could  iW^>*  »«»• 
tained  him  in  his  political  conflicts. 

His  powei-s  of  endurance  wei-e  tax/^  tt/y  t,%f^T 
utmost  capacity  during  his  presidentiaJ  «*ti»i«*i»;.  (r^e- 
vated  to  that  responsible  position  at  itlU^  ^ff  <A 
ibrty-nine,  being  younger  by  sevej-aj  )>?*tji*  t^umtt 
either  of  his  predecessors,  he  was  deterjjjiw(<^|l  f/^  (>r(r\. 
ploy  all  the  resources  of  his  intellect  mi  1t!W>.  dis- 
charge of  his  duties.  His  admiuistjatl<>AJ  f^z-wrcd 
in  times  big  with  great  events,  and  his  ^^jcmi  jnKl^' 
ment,  and  inflexibility  of  pur[x>se,  euabW  ^itti  to 
control  them  with  unparalleled  8uccet»H, 

The  amiable  and  accomplished  %  s  ^cMi  ^/fpy- 
sided  with  great  dignity  and  grace  w.  '■  fi!^  ji^^ft., 
sidential  mansion  during  the  term  <A  'I'i'sivli^.Tvt 
Polk.  All  who  api)roached  her  ww^  Wi^^-iilly  \\ttf 
pressed  with  her  unaft'ected  afliabUity  A/d  mmtvcr^ 
and  probably  no  lady  ever  occuj>ied  tiw/t  y^'fM>x\^ 
who  left  it  with  so  many  friends. 

The  prominent  aspirants  for  the  ]^r*»^S<»Tfw'y  itt 
1844,  were  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  Mi'.  i.)l»^,  T>i<», 
democratic  party  were  anxious  to  vA/^fm  ti'tt  fh* 
terrible  defeat  which  they  sustained  m  i^i^^,.  (»n4 
the  whigs  were  determined  to  d<j  jusrtiio'  ic^  fh^t 
distinguished  leader,  who  was  the  "  ejujill^^liiiMK*i'rf. " 
of  their  principles.  These  two  ^ttuiU^M^,.  frkh^t 
imagined  that  Mr.  Tyler  had  presse(i  tAi*-  (<|jiwiifi«'»n 
of  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  lJnJtH<|l  .<^iUtf<^f<,  f,o 
advance  his  own  prospects  for  the  pje.si(i*ii^y ,  ^-fK*! 
were,  therefore,  determined  to  frustiat*:'  ijj*  (*lU5<iis(ns 
by  forcing  their  supporters  to  oppose  ihM  fmmwff.  ;■ 


POLK     A  DMIXIHTBATION.  18' 

or  they  were  honestly  <>\)]nn>4u]  to  the  consummation 
of  that  event.  And  whil*;  a  large  majority  of  both 
parties,  at  least  in  the  Klavfj-holding  States,  were 
anxiously  endeavoring  to  promote  a  union  of  the 
two  republics,  and  were  taking  promj)t  and  decisive 
steps  to  produce  that  rcHiiit,  they  were  astounded 
by  the  publication  of  httitt-H  from  Messrs.  Clay  and 
Van  Buren,  in  op[)OHition  to  that  measure.*  The 
attachment  of  the  whig  jjarly  to  Mr.  Clay  proved 
more  powerful  than  their  <J««ire  for  the  admission 

*  "  In  the  future  progreB*  of  evantii,  it  in  prnh&Ae  that  there  will  be  a 
voluntary  or  forcible  separation  of  th''  Uriti«h  North  American  possessions 
from  the  parent  country.  I  am  t^trotiffly  inchned  to  think  it  will  be  best 
for  the  happiness  of  all  partips,  tlwt,  in  »imt  fv^nt,  thpy  should  be  erected 
into  a  separate  and  independent  rppuhlic.  With  the  Canadian  republic 
on  one  side,  that  of  Texas  on  the  'rtli^r,  and  the  United  States,  the  friend 
of  both,  between  them,  each  oiild  mi\mu:n  its  own  happiness  by  such 
constitutions,  laws,  and  mea»ure»,  m  were  best  adapted  to  its  peculiar 
condition  !" 
********  * 

"  In  conclusion,  they  [his  ohj<'cti(«iii  to  annffxation]  may  be  stated  in  a 
few  words  to  be,  that  I  consider  tic;  atmexaf'mn  of  Texas,  at  this  time, 
without  the  assent  of  Mexico,  ax  a  tii<«i»iire  romprnmising  the  national 
character,  involving  us  wmaiiily  in  a  wnr  with  Mexico,  probably  with 
other  foreign  powers,  dangerous  Ut  iIk;  int»'grify  of  the  Union,  inexpe- 
dient in  the  present  financial  conditi'm  of  tiw?  country,  and  not  called  for 
by  any  general  expression  of  public  npimrm"— Letter  if  Mr.  Clay,  May 
9,  1844. 


"  I  by  no  means  contend  that  afiimuil  rcroifniiinn  nf  Texatt  by  Mexico 
is  vecessary  to  juKtifi/ us  in  ai<i«?mifijf  to  her  annexation  to  the  United 
States.  Time  and  circumstance*  may  wnr)(  niirh  a  change  in  the  rela- 
tions between  those  two  counlricx  a«  to  nmler  an  act  of  that  character 
on  the  pari  of  Mexico  untvi-i'smry  ami  i/nimfi/yrfant.  What  f  mean  to 
say  is,  that,  from  all  the  iiiforrnation  I  h«v<'  lieen  able  to  obtain  on  the 
subject,  no  clianL'e  has  yet  inkim  pl/ier  ihnt  would  make  the  objections  I 
have  here  detailed  inapplicable."— /WMr  of  .Mk.  Van  Bl'hen,  April  20, 
1W4. 


r^ 


14 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


of  Texas  into  the  Union ;  wliile  the  doctrines  of 
Mr.  Van  Bui'eu,  meeting  with  no  sympathy  from  a 
majority  of  tiie  democratic  party,  resulted  in  his 
defeat  in  the  Baltimore  Convention,  and  pi-oduced 
the  nomination  of  Mr.  Polk.  At  the  meeting  of 
that  convention,  the  claims  of  the  latter  gentleman 
were  alone  pressed  for  the  office  of  Vice  President, 
and  it  was  only  when  there  was  danger  that  vio- 
lence and  anai'chy  would  jiroduce  a  dissolution  of 
the  body,  that  he  was  selected  as  the  comj)romise 
candidate.*     About  the  same  time  the  Whig  Con- 

*  The  Baltimore  Convention  assembled  on  the  27th  of  May,  1844. 
Mr.  Hendricks  R.  Wright  of  Pennsylvania  was  appointed  President. 
The  two-thirds  rule  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  148  to  116.  This  was  re- 
garded as  a  test  vote,  the  Van  Biiren  men  going  in  a  mass  against  it. 

The  first  ballot  resulted  in  the  following  vote  :  Van  Buren,  146 ;  Cass, 
83 ;  Johnson,  24  ;   Buchanan,  4 ;  Woodbury,  2 ;  Stuart,  1 ;  Calhoun,  6. 

The  second  ballot:  Van  Buren,  127:  Cass,  94;  Johnson,  33;  Bu- 
chanan, 9;  Stuart,  1  ;  Calhoun,  1. 

Third  ballot:  Van  Buren,  121;  Ca.s8,  92;  Johnson,  33 ;  Buchanan, 
11  ;  Woobury,  2;  Calhoun,  2. 

Fourth  ballot:  Van  Buren,  111  ;  Cass,  105;  Johnson, 32;  Buchanan, 
17;  Calhoun,  1. 

Fifth  ballot:  Van  Buren,  103;  Ca.ss,  107;  Johnson,  29;  Buchanan, 
26. 

Sixth  ballot:  Van  Buren,  101 ;  Cass,  116;  Johnson,  23;  Buchanan, 
26 ;  Cnlhoun,  1. 

Seventh  ballot :  Van  Buren,  99 ;  Cass,  123  ;  Johnson,  21 ;  Buchanan, 
22;  Calhoun  1. 

The  excitement  now  became  intense,  and  disorder  and  confusion 
prevailed. 

An  effort  was  now  made  to  establish  the  majority  rule,  but  failed  ;  118 
voting  for,  and  148  against.     On  Wednesday  the  Ccmvention  again  met. 

Eighth  ballot:  Van  Buren,  104;  Cass,  114;  Buchanan,  2  ;  Polk,  44; 
Calhoun,  2. 

Ninth  ballot :  Polk,  whole  number  of  votes,  266. 

Mr.  Wright  was  nomiiiatod  for  the  Vice  Presidency,  but  declined 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


15 


vention,  with  great  unanimity  and  enthusiasm,  nomi- 
nated Mr.  Clay,  and  thus  the  two  aspirants  were 
placed  before  the  American  people.  Accusations 
were  made  by  each  party  against  the  other,  of  un- 
fairness in  conducting  the  canvass.  It  was  asserted 
by  the  whigs,  that  the  northern  democracy  touched 
lightly  upon  the  question  of  annexation,  and  in- 
scribed upon  their  flags  the  motto  of  "  Polk,  Dallas, 
and  the\  Tariff  of  1842 ;"  the  democrats  as  posi- 
tively declared  that  the  southern  whigs  did  not 
hesitate  to  denounce  the  question  of  the  annexation 
of  Texas  after  the  publication  of  Mr.  Clay's  letter, 
although  they  had  most  zealously  advocated  that 
measure  while  his  opinions  were  unknown. 

It  is  but  justice  to  both  parties  to  say,  that  the 
canvass  was  the  most  exciting  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  our  Government,  and  was  conducted  with 
as  much  faii'ness  as  usually  characterizes  those  strug- 
gles. It  is  an  evil  which  is  an  inevitable  result  of 
all  elections  where  parties  are  zealously  supporting 
their  favorite  candidates,  that  all  the  opinions,  even 
if  frankly  promulgated  by  the  asjnrants,  are  not  as 
frankly  reiterated  liy  partisan  orators  and  the  press 
of  the  country.  Still  this  conduct  upon  the  part 
of  the  politicians  does  not  prevent  the  people  from 
honestly  giving   their  support  to  that   individual 


< 


accpptingr  tlie  nomination,  and  on  Thursday  the  Convention  proceeded  to 
elect  another  candidate. 

First  ballot:  Fairfield,  87;  Woodbury,  66;  Cass,  29;  Johnson,  26; 
Stewart,  23;  Dallas,  13;  Marcy,  6. 

Second  ballot :  Dallas,  220  ;  Fairfield,  30  ;  Woodbury  6. 


r 


mm 


16 


HI8T0ET     OF     THE 


wlio  will  illustrate,  in  the  administration  of  public 
affairs,  the  political  opinions  which  they  advocate. 
It  cannot  be  denied  that  it  was  known  to  the  Ame- 
rican people,  that  Mr.  Polk  was  in  favor  of  the  im- 
mediate annexation  of  Texas  to  the  United  States, 
and  in  tiiumphantly  electing  him,  they  consequently 
sanctioned  that  measure.* 

The  prominent  questions  discussed  during  the 
canvass  of  1844  were  the  currency,  the  tariff,  the 
annexation  of  Texas,  the  veto  power,  and  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public 
lands.  The  Democratic  Convention  which  nominated 
Mr.  Polk  at  Baltimore,  in  May,  1844,  laid  down  a 


*  "  You  request  from  me  an  explicit  expression  of  opinion  upon  this 
question  of  annexation.  Having  at  no  time  entertained  opinions  upon 
public  subjects  which  I  was  unwilling  to  avow,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to 
comply  with  your  request.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  declaring  that  I  am  in 
favor  of  the  immediate  re-annexation  of  Texas  to  the  territory  and  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States.  I  entertain  no  doubts  as  to  the  power  or  ex- 
pediency of  the  re-annexation.  ♦  »  •  ♦  * 

"  It  is  a  part  of  the  great  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  directly  connected 
by  its  navigable  waters  with  the  Mississippi  River,  and  having  once  been 
a  part  of  our  Union,  it  should  never  have  been  dismembered  from  it. 
The  government  and  people  of  Texas,  it  is  understood,  not  only  give 
their  consent,  but  are  anxiously  desirous  to  be  re-united  to  the  United 
States.  If  the  application  of  Texas  for  a  re-union  and  admission  into 
our  confederacy  shall  be  rejected  by  the  United  States,  there  is  imminent 
danger  that  she  will  become  a  dependency,  if  not  a  colony  of  Great 
Britain — an  event  which  no  American  patriot,  anxious  for  the  safety  and 
prosperity  of  this  country,  could  permit  to  occur  without  the  most  stren- 
uous resistance.  Let  Texas  be  re-aunexed,  and  t  authority  and  laws  of 
the  United  States  be  established  and  maintained  within  her  limits,  and 
al.-o  in  ilio  Oregon  Territory,  and  let  the  fixed  policy  of  our  government 
be,  not  to  n^rniit  Great  Britain,  or  any  othi?  foreign  power,  to  plant  a 
colony  or  hold  dominion  over  any  portion  of  the  people  or  territory  of 
either."— Le«er  uf  James  K.  Polk,  April  23,  1844. 


■V. 


^ 


r  O  L  K     A  ]i  >r  I  N  I  S  T  It  A  T  I  O  N  . 


17 


pliitform  for  tlie  ciinipuij^n.*     The  whig  party  at 
the  time  they  nomiiuited  ]\Ir.  Chiy  at  Baltimore,  ou 


*  Ursohed,  Tliiit  the  Fedcnil  (lovcrnmcnt  is  onn  of  liiiiifoil  powers, 
derived  cololy  from  the  Constitution,  and  tlio  grants  of  power  pliown 
tlioreiii,  oiifiht  to  be  Htrictly  construed  by  all  tlie  departments  and  aj^ents 
of  llio  (iovernment,  and  that  it  is  inexpedient  and  dangerous  to  exercise 
doiilitfii!  conslitutioiial  powers. 

2.  That  tiic  Constitution  does  not  confer  upon  tlio  Federal  Govern 
ment  tiie  power  to  coninicnco  and  carry  on  a  general  system  of  interna. 
improvcNieiit. 

3.  That  tlic  CmiBtitiition  does  not  confer  authority  upon  the  Federal 
Government,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  assume  the  debts  of  the  several 
States  contracted  fur  local  or  internal  imjirovoments,  or  other  state  pur- 
poses, nor  would  sucii  assumption  lie  just  and  expedient. 

4.  That  justice  and  sound  policy  forbid  the  Federal  Government  to 
foster  one  branch  of  industry  to  the  detriment  of  another,  or  to  cherish 
the  interests  of  one  portion  to  tlio  injury  of  another  portion  of  our  com- 
mon couTitry  ;  that  every  citizen  of  the  country  has  a  right  to  demand  and 
insist  upon  an  equality  of  rights  and  privileges,  and  to  compel  an  ample 
protection  of  persons  and  property  from  domestic  violence  and  foreign 
aggression. 

6.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  branch  of  the  Government  to  enforce 
and  practise  the  most  rigid  economy  in  onducting  our  public  afliiirs,  and 
that  no  more  revenue  ought  to  be  raised  liian  is  required  to  defray  the 
necessary  expenses  of  the  Government. 

C.  That  Congress  has  no  power  to  charter  a  national  bank  ;  that  we 
believe  such  an  institution  one  of  deadly  hostility  to  the  best  jnterests  of 
the  country,  dangerous  to  our  republican  institutions  and  the  liberties  of 
the  people,  and  calculated  to  place  the  business  of  the  country  within  the 
control  of  a  concentrated  money  power,  and  above  the  laws  and  will  of 
the  people. 

7.  That  Congress  has  no  power,  under  the  Constitution,  to  mtcrfere 
with  or  control  the  domestic  institutions  of  the  several  States,  and  that 
such  States  are  the  sole  and  proper  judges  of  every  thing  appertaining  to 
their  own  afTairs,  not  prohibited  by  the  Constitution  ;  that  all  ellorts  of  the 
abolitionists  or  others,  made  to  induce  Congress  to  interfere  with  the 
question  of  slavery,  or  take  incipient  steps  in  relation  thereto,  are  calcu- 
lated to  lead  to  the  most  alarming  and  dangerous  consequences,  and  that 
all  such  efforts  have  an  inevitable  tendency  to  diminish  the  happiness  of 
the  people  and  endanger  the  stability  and  permanency  of  the  Union,  and 
ought  not  to  be  countenanced  by  any  friend  to  our  political  institutions. 


;' 


r  r 


I 

1 
t 


H 

%    kJ 


18 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


the    1st   of   May,   18-44,   adopted   certain   resolu- 
tions.* 

The  struggle  was  fiercely  contested,  and  almost 
every  expedient  avius  i-esorted  to  for  the  purjDose  of 
winning  votes.     The  friends  of  both  the  candidates 

8.  Tliat  the  separation  of  the  moneys  of  the  government  from  bunking 
institutions  is  inilisponsublc  for  the  safety  of  the  funds  of  the  government, 
and  tlie  rights  of  tiic  people. 

Resuhcil,  That  tlie  proceeds  of  tlie  public  lands  ought  to  bo  sacredly 
applied  to  tlie  national  objects  specified  in  the  Constitution  ;  and  tiiat  wo 
are  opposed  to  the  law  lately  adopted,  and  to  any  lav/  for  the  distribution 
of  such  proceeds  among  the  States,  as  alike  inexjiedient  in  policy  and 
repugnant  to  the  Constitution. 

Resolutions  were  also  adopted  against  taking  from  the  President  the 
right  of  exercising  the  veto  power ;  and  proclaiming  our  title  to  the  whole 
of  the  territory  of  Oregon  and  against  surrendering  any  portion  of  it  to 
Great  Britain,  and  also  in  favor  of  the  annexation  of  Texas. 

Mr.  Benjamin  F.  Butler  was  ciiairman  of  the  committee  who  reported 
the  resolutions. 

*  The  Whig  Convention  assembled  ^t  Baltimore,  May  1st,  1844. 
Hon.  Ambrose  Spencer,  of  New- York,  was  appointed  President.  Henry 
Clay  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency,  and  Theodore  Frelinghuysen  for 
the  Vice  Presidency. 

The  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  at  the  Whig 
Convention  of  May,  1844. 

"  Firxolvcd,  That  in  presenting  to  tlie  country  the  names  of  Henry 
Clay  for  President,  and  Tlioodore  Frelinghuysen  for  Vice  President,  the 
convention  is  actuated  by  the  conviction  that  all  the  great  principles  of 
the  whig  party — principles  inseparable  from  the  public  honor  and  pros- 
perity— will  be  maintained  and  advanced  by  the  election  of  these  candi- 
dates. 

"  Resnhrd,  That  these  principles  may  be  summed  as  comprising  a  well 
regulated  national  currency,  a  tariff  for  revenue  to  defray  the  necessary 
expenses  of  the  government,  and  discriminating  with  special  reference  to 
the  protection  of  the  domestic  lal)or  of  the  country,  the  distribution  of  the 
proceeds  from  the  sales  of  the  public  lands,  a  single  term  for  the  Pre- 
sidency, a  reform  of  executive  usurpations,  and  generally  such  an  admin- 
istration of  the  affairs  of  the  country  as  shall  impart  to  every  branch  of 
the  public  service  the  greatest  practicable  efficiency,  controlled  by  a  well 
regulated  and  wise  economy." 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION.  W 

Were  coiitident  of  success,  and  Avei'e  aniinntcd  Avitli 
the  gi-eAtest  iirdor  and  entliusijusin.  The  result  was 
the  election  of  INIessrs.  Polk  and  Dallas  to  the  Pre- 
sidency and  Vice  Presidency  of  the  United  kStates, 
by  a  majority  of  sixty-five  electoral  votes* 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1845,  the  President  elect 
of  the  United  States  delivered  his  Inauc^ural  Ad- 
dress  in  the  j)resence  of  the  assend)led  representa- 
tives of  the  American  people,  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  United  States,  the  diplomatic  ccjrps,  and  an 


e.s 


>5S- 


9 

6 

12 

4 

fi 

6 

36 

7 

26 

3 

8 

17 

11 

9 

10 

12 

13 

23 

6 

6 

12 

9 

9 

7 

3 

6 

276 


STATES. 


Maine, 

New  Hiimpshire, 

Mnspacliu  setts, 

Rhode  Island, 

Connecticut, 

Vermont, 

New  York, 

New  Jersey, 

Pennsylvania, 

Delaware, 

Maryland, 

Virginia, 

North  Carolina, 

South  Carolina, 

Geoi  gia. 

Ken  ucky, 

Tennessee, 

Ohio, 

Louisiana,     . 

Mississippi, 

Indiana, 

Illinois, 

Alabama,  -    , 

Missouri, 

Arkansas, 

Michigan, 


Fur  I'r 

;-i(liMll. 

For  Vice 

I'lesiilent. 

re 

5- 

1 

gi- 
ll i 

9 

9 

6 

6 

13 

13 

4 

4 

6 

6 

6 

6 

36 

36 

7 

7 

26 

26 

3 

3 

8 

8 

17 

17 

11 

11 

9 

9 

10 

10 

12 

12 

13 

13 

23 

23 

6 

6 

6 

6 

12 

12 

9 

9 

9 

9 

7 

7 

3 

3 

6 

6 



170 

106 

170 

105 

20 


IT  I  S  T  0  K  Y     OF     THE 


iiiiiiionsp  coneoni'so  of  spectatois,  and  took  tlif  oatli 
of  office,  Avliicli  was  admiulstorud  l)y  tho  Chief 
Ju!?tice.* 

INIr.  Clay,  the  unsuccessful  candidate  of  the  Avhig 
party  for  the  pi-esidency,  had  tor  a  long  period  1»een 
an  aspirant  for  that  office.  As  cai'ly  as  1S24,  he 
was  sui)ported  for  that  position  l»y  many  warm 
admirers.  lVrliai)s  no  man  in  the  Union  has  won 
the  attachment  of  so  many  ardent  and  enthusiastic 
personal  friends  as  i\Ir.  Clay.  'No  disaster  can 
damj)en  their  zeal,  and  each  successive  defeat  only 
has  the  effect  of  attaching  theni  still  inore  closely 
to  his  person  and  his  fortunes.  He  is,  indeed,  a 
nol)le  leader.  Ilis  bold  and  im])assioned  elo(pience, 
his  aflalnlity  and  fjuscination  of  manner,  and  his 
unwaverins^  devotion  to  his  friends,  altowther  con- 
stitute  him  one  of  the  most  influential  statesmen 
which  this  countiy  has  ever  produced. 

His  patriotism  ha.s  been  too  often  put  to  the 
test  to  admit  of  douLt.  Upon  two  occasions  he 
has  intei'posed  his  form  l)etwet,'n  the  exasperated 
citizens  of  the  North  and  South.  Wlien  the  ex- 
citement ra^ed  with  fri'ditful  violence  befiu'e  the 
admission  of  Missouri,  and  tlneatened  to  destroy 
the  Union  itself,  with  a  promptness  and  sincerity 
which  proved  that  a  patriot's  heart  beat  within  his 
bosom,  he  poured  oil  upon  the  troubled  waters 
and  assisted  to  allay  the  storm.  And  now,  when 
danger  thickens,  and  a  dark  and  threatening  cloud 
hovers  over  the  Temple  of  Liberty,  his  tall  and 
venerable  form  is  again  seen  protecting  from  sacri- 

*  For  tlie  Inaugural  Address,  see  Appendix. 


POLK     A  D  31 1  N  1  S  X  R  A  T  I  O  N  . 


21 


lego  and  violence  our  ylorloiis  Constitution,  and  iu 
touts  wliicli  are  tremulous  with  age,  lie  implores 
our  distracted  cuuntrynieu  to  jjuuse  iu  tlieir  cai-eer, 
and  save  the  American  Confederacy  from  the  friyht- 
ful  horrors  which  nfiist  How  from  its  dissolution. 

The  diihcidt  and  delicate  duty  now  dev(jlved 
iipou  j\[r.  Polk  of  selecting  his  caliinet,  and  uj)ou 
a  wise  choice  of  those  pei'sons  much  of  the  popu- 
larity and  success  of  his  administratiou  depended. 
Not  only  was  it  necessary  to  call  around  him  states- 
men Avhose  ahility  and  experience  would  enaltlc 
them  to  illustrate  the  Lroad  and  comjjrehensiv'e 
platform  which  he  had  laid  down  in  his  inaugural 
address,  l)ut  whose  commanding  talents  and  po])U- 
larity  with  the  American  people  would  recommend 
its  ado])tion  hy  their  re])i'esentatives.  Among  the 
names  which  Mr.  Polk  presented  to  the  Senate  as 
his  caliinet  officers,  were  some  of  the  most  distin- 
guished statesmen  in  the  Union,  and  in  their  selec- 
tion he  exhihited  a  thoi'ough  knowledge  of  those 
men,  whose  great  abilities  and  remai'kable  energy 
greatly  assisted  iu  erecting  that  sjilendid  super- 
structure which  lias  given  an  undying  reputation 
to  his  administration. 

^riie  long  service  of  Mr.  Buchanan  in  the  Sen- 
ate, where  he  had  encountered  iu  debate  the 
profoundest  statesmen  in  the  land,  qualified  him 
thoroughly  for  the  department  of  State.  Logical 
and  sound  in  his  reasoning,  with  a  sagacity  which 
could  discover  dangers  in  the  future,  and  the  ability 
to  avoid  them,  however  threatening  and  sudden 
their  a]>proach,  he  Avas  always  a  fui'midable  foe  to 


JASPKll  J.lHllAUY, 

Or^aii«i  March  1.1H54, 
Iiist«i  Apr.  2n«i  IHoT. 


00 


HISTORY     or     THK 


iiiccf.  His  (liploniatlc  corniinmicatioiis  jj^iive  evi- 
(IciK't'  (tf  tlioi'outfli  prqtaratioii,  and  in  cvciy  con- 
iiii't  Ijctween  liiiiiself  and  the  rcprcsciitativt's  of 
foreij.'!!  powers,  they  retired  eonfoundcd  and  dis- 
comfited ])efoi'e  liis  nnans\veral)lt^  ar^nnients.  His 
jiid<,nnent  Avas  sound  and  eoniprelicnsive,  and  his 
mind  was  enriched  l»y  a  course  of  loni,'  and  ]»aintul 
study.  In  tlie  Senate  Le  never  wiehled  tlie  glit- 
tei'int;'  Itlade  of  Chiy,  nor  the  j)onderous  falchion  of 
AVelister.  But  whenever  lie  addressed  that  l»ody 
it  was  witli  a  majesty  of  diction,  an  amplitudes  of 
hiformntion,  and  an  iron  and  irresistible  strength  of 
reasoning  which  seldom  failed  to  convince,  whei-c 
it  did  not  control.  lie  was  as  successful  in  the 
cal)inet  as  he  had  heen  in  the  Senate,  and  his  vast 
powers  Avere  ever  equal  to  the  responsihilitles  which 
devolved  npon  the  department  of  State,  A\'hile  his 
opinions  Avere  always  received  Avith  marked  atten- 
tion in  cabinet  council.  The  policy  Avliich  he  unde- 
A'iatingly  ad\'ocated  in  the  settlement  of  our  diffi- 
culties witli  EnghuK.  and  Mexico,  Avas  Ixdd  and 
decisive.  While  the  delicate  position  he  occu])ied 
in  relation  to  the  interests  of  Pennsylvania,  after 
the  course  Avliidi  he  pursued  in  the  camjmign  of 
1844,  rendered  him  someAA'hat  timid  upon  the  great 
domestic  question  of  free  trade. 

lloheii;  J.  Walker,  avIuj  Avas  assigned  to  the 
Treasury  Department,  had  also  for  many  years  heen 
a  distinguished  Meml)er  of  the  Senate,  Avhere  his 
poAvers  Avere  illustrated  and  gave  indications  of 
Avhat  might  lie  expected  from  his  extraordinarj'' 
energy,  in  the  responsible  position  to  Avhich  he  was 


1 


glit- 


I 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


23 


called  in  tlio  Cahinct  of  }>h:  Polk.  1I(^  possessed 
solidity,  without  Ix'iii;^  l)iilliaiit,  and  always  ex- 
liaustluj:,'  the  sultjeet  wliicli  Ih;  was  iuvcsti^'atiiig,  ho 
rarely  failed  to  ]>rodii('e  an  iinpressioii  u[)oii  the 
Senate.  It  was  only  wlicn  he;  was  aroused  l>y  the 
magnitude  of  the  sultject  under  discussion,  that  he 
employed  all  that  was  gorgeous,  yet  pointed,  in 
the  arts  of  oratory.  At  such  moments  his  sarcasm 
and  irony  told  Avith  gr<'at  ellV-ct  ui)on  his  adversary. 
Ordinarily,  however,  his  powf-f  consisted  in  argu- 
mentation,  and  in  that  lield  he  had  but  few  etpials. 
It  Avas  chiefly  uj)on  his  lahors  as  Secretary  c)f  the 
Treasury,  that  lui  will  I'cst  his  claims  to  an  endur- 
ing fame.  It  was  in  that  department  that  he  em- 
ployed all  the  energies  of  his  nature,  and  the  re- 
sources of  his  vast  and  varied  acrpiirements,  in  the 
advocacy  of  free  trade.  We.  have  oidy  to  look 
over  the  voluminous  ])ages  which  ho  submitted  to 
Congress,  croAvded  Avith  fi.cts  and  iii'ginnents,  to  he- 
come  satisfied  that  his  mind  was  nhKorlnJ  with  the 
one  idea  Avhich  his  ])eii  so  faithfully  illustrated. 
The  subject  AA-as  greatly  cmbaT-rassed  by  the  Avar 
with  INfexico,  and  tlie  success  with  Avhicli  he  carried 
the  financial  credit  of  tin;  country  through  that 
contest,  proA'cd  him  iucontestably  the  ablest  finan- 
cier Avhom  our  country  has  ])roduced  since  the  days 
of  Ilobert  Morris,  The  opposition  of  Webster  and 
Evans,  and  the  denunciations  of  the  Avhig  Jiarty, 
could  not  arrest  flu;  success  of  tlnit  jwlicy,  Avhicli 
triumphed  oA'er  tlie  assaults  of  its  enemies,  and 
more  than  realized  the  Avarmcst  anticipations  of 
its  friends.  • 


mmm 


u 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


fff 


The  apiwiiitment  of  Mi-.  Marcy  as  Secvotary  of 
War  Avas  another  fortuiiute  inoveiiiuiit  for  ]\Ir.  Polk. 
As  Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  one 
of  lier  judges,  he  liad  obtained  a  high  re[)utation. 
With  a  grasp  of  conijirehension  which  cnal>led  liilli 
at  once  to  master  a  subject,  and  a  force  and  apjio- 
siteness  of  reasoning  Avliich  demonstrated  his  views, 
a  soundness  of  judgment,  and  an  intimate  know- 
ledge of  men,  l;e  was  Avell  fitted  by  nature  and 
education  to  ])ec(>me  the  confidential  adviser  of  the 
President,  and  the  head  of  the  War  I)ei)i;rtment. 
The  jMexicau  war  served  to  develope  the  great 
features  of  his  character.  The  adoption  of  the 
celebrated  plan  of  the  cam])aign,  and  its  successful 
prosecution,  in  all  its  j)arts,  required  the  resources 
of  an  intellfct  of  no  ordinary  description.  The 
patience  with  which  he  received  and  replied  to  the 
complaints  Avhich  the  officers  of  the  ai'uiy  made  to 
him,  weiH^  generally  characterized  by  frankness  and 
urbanity,  and  it  was  oidy  in  his  response  to  the 
charges  made;  by  Cleneral  Scott  against  the  admin- 
istration and  the  War  Department,  that  he  in- 
dulged in  a  l)itterness  of  sarcasm  which  added 
point  and  force  to  the  crushing  and  irresistible 
rej)ly. 

George  Bancroft,  the  historian,  was  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Navy.  lie  occupied  that  position 
but  a  brief  period,  however,  when  he  was  appointed 
the  successor  of  Mr.  Everett  at  the  Court  of  St. 
James.  His  selectit)n  by  Mr.  Polk  as  one  of  the 
mcmbei'S  of  his  Cal»inet,  was  not  only  a  proper 
tribute  to  his  vast  and  varied  accj[uircnieuts  as  a 


f 


■fiWfPW 


I'OLK     ADMINISTItATION.  Jj'6 

scliolar,  hut  to  liis  al)ility  as  a  man.  Deeply  voi'sed 
in  the  love  of  ancient  and  modern  tinic^i,  IiIh  wnt- 
ings  display  evidences  of  profound  thouy'lit  and 
tlioroiigli  study;  and  without  possessing  transcen- 
dent abilities,  or  a  hiilliant  genius,  his  woi'ks  Lear 
evidence  t>f  careful  preparation  and  logical  and 
argumentative  j)ower.  As  a  .s])eaker,  Lis  manner 
is  not  prepossessing.  Nature  has  not  fevored  him 
"vvith  a  rich  and  mehjdious  voice,  or  a  dignified  and 
attractive  presence.  But  the  gorgeous  imagery 
and  the  sparkling  gems  which  ornament  his  lan- 
guage, gild  the  philosophical  thought  and  classical 
erudition,  and  tlisplay  the  intellectual  wealth  Avhich. 
years  of  research  have  enaljled  him  to  accpiire. 

Not  only  has  he  oLtained  great  celebrity  as  an 
essayist  and  historian,  Ijut  the  jiolicy  whii.-h  lie 
advocated  .vhilo  at  the  head  of  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment gave  liim  the  character  of  an  accomplished 
statesman.  AVhile  his  views  Avere  sufficiently  en- 
larged and  liljeral,  they  received  the  ap])i'ol)ation 
of  one  of  the  luttst  ultra  economists  and  reformers 
in  the  House  of  Representatives.* 

Twice  have  individuals  who  had  illustrated  the 
pages  of  English  literature,  been  called  to  preside 
over  the  Navy  Department,!  and  the  same  honor 
slioidd  have  heen  conferred  upon  another,;}:  whose 
experience  in  early  life  and  subsequent  investiga- 
tions, eminently  qualified  him  for  the  discharge  of 
its  duties.    His  pen  has  not  only  adorned  the  annals 

*  Janips  J.  McKay,  of  North  Ciirolina. 

t  Jnini's  K.  Piuildincr  and  George  Bancroft.        , 

t  J.  Feniinore  Coopei. 


,^'^;-**' 


2G 


HISTORY     OF     TUK 


of  our  country  witli  Lis  splendid  naxaJ  h'i*^i'^Y^  ^'"* 
has  coiitril)ute:l  to  American  literatujy  iiit*  I'^'iififltiffst 
gems,  and  wliicli  Avill  only  })e)'L«li  witli  itjliw  fo;ii(]i>!h 
language. 

The  Post  Office  Department  \vai^  fiJIn<^  II,^  (Ifivei 
Johnson,  of  Tennessee,  who  had  bci^J  JtW  many 
years  one  of  the  most  influential  MewlW*  <<►<'  the 
House  of  llej)resentatives.  Ha  ha<i  iAj^MM'A  ^cut 
celehrity  for  his  inflexil)le  honesty,  la l></}ii<,i|iij*  in<-lns. 
try,  and  for  the  vigilance  with  which  iik><  ^/mrdfA 
the  puhlic  treasuiy.  (lifted  with  au  jutw;^)»itft^  which 
wa-s  above  suspicion,  he  w  a  teiT<^j'  to  »4lll  who'  are 
endeavoring  to  obtain  the  sanction  <,'f  ((:;<,ViJ^j»(«.<«s  to 
fi'audulent  claims;  and  Avhenevcr  his  +yJil  ;V)iti('!i  ^^f'uer- 
able  form  was  seen  to  rise  fu-  the  ywj^<>ti>>;  cf  ad- 
dressing  the  House  in  ()j)j)ositiou  to  im\,vU  (■{■Mmn 
which  were  not  founded  in  justice,  th<^  :*iijif(tvif^  who 
had  l)een  preparing  them  knew  that  ih^w  fosfft^  was 
sealed.  Perha])s  no  mendx'r  ('xei'cis<i<jl  <iv  <j(f<i>'At  an 
influence  over  the  llouse  of  l{ej))('seuly,'tii\\A!*  clivrin''' 
his  Congressional  career  as  ]\Ii-.  .]ijhxi!r<^}^,.  Jfis  l<-,]-|0' 
service  in  that  body,  his  standing  aijid  ^Wliiif  ^,.  and 
the  argumentative  and  persua.«i\»^  eh,Kjjii(ttitnr*^;  which 
characteri/ed  his  s])eeches,  always  jnMillitiVitrli  a  re- 
markable efl'ect  uj)(;n  that  body.  MjJ,<^  ^tiiivll  ctnr- 
teous  in  his  manner,  he  won  the  jc^^j^otit  '•4  Itiin  po- 
litical opponents,  while  his  unshakcij  »«tft^l)ij|trti(»nf.  to 
Ills  friends  bound  vhem  to  him  by  the  w;)i;)ftt>»t^.  f.i<!.3. 
The  constancy  of  his  afl'ecti<jn  ivy  UAi^>t  \\'m  only 
surpassed  ])y  Jiis  devotion  to  ]»)'m<'jjje:  ,»ttt,k<ll  t\<;fh'\mf 
less  than  a  tluu'ough  convicticm  <^f  ul/t,tij  W6rfhlfss- 
ness,  would  induce  him  to  abajid<^n  u  mm  wfe»'»m  he 


POLK     ADMIXIHTRATION. 


27 


liad  once  called  liw  fVi<fn'l.  Ah  an  orator,  lie 
was  generally  calm  and  urj.nimf;ntative,  liis  promi- 
nent cliaracteriHtic  Ix'iii^  coiiviiutlng  and  irresistible 
power.  lie  never  Ktiidicjd  the  arts  of  declamation, 
and  did  not  seek  to  gild  lii.n  Hpe(!clies  witli  tlie  cor- 
uscations of  geniiLs.  A  Hplenrlid  exordium  and 
brilliant  peroration  cannot  iic,  i'omid  in  one  cf  Ids 
efforts.  He  appealed  to  the  jv.iwm  and  not  to  the 
imagination,  and  always  with  effect.  Yet  n])ou 
several  occasions,  wh<'n  iniu'arraiitaf)le  attacks  Avere 
made  upon  him,  or  \vh(;n  his  indignation  was  aroused 
by  conduct  whicli  lie  repr<»bate(l,'''  his  retorts  were 
teri-ible,  and  his  unutherna-^  annihilating.  Upon 
sucli  occasions  his  majestic  form  towei'cd,  and  his 
stern  glance  Avas  fixed  upon  tin;  offender,  who 
writhed  beneatli  the  biting  and  vvitliering  sarcasms 
whicli  wei'e  poui'cd  from  th»r  lips  of  the  speaker. 
Witli  a  facility  of  illustration,  and  a  fiery  and  im- 
passioned eloquence,  In;  letunw  again  and  again  to 
the  assault,  until  his  I  (lasting  irony  has  pierced  the 
shield  hi  Avhith  tin;  dclimpient  supposed  himself 
encased,  and  lie  lies  prontrute  and  bleeding  before 
the  indignant  oi-ator. 

Under  his  administration  of  tlie  Post  Office  De- 
partment commenced  the  leduetion  of  the  postage, 
which  he  opposed  while  a  .Mend»(rr  (;f  Congress,  but 
to  Avhich  he  subs(Hju<'nily  gave  the  influenre  of  his 
name  and  ])opulaiity.  lie  infused  his  own  energy 
into  the  puldic  servic<',  and  ii(»t  only  were  contracts 
made  for  conveying  the  mail  through  the  several 

*  See  ills  reply  to  Mewrii.  lloge,  il<immett,and  Holmes,  28tli  Congress. 


'28 


HIS.^OBY     OP     THE 


States  and  Territoiies,  but  for  transmitting  it  to 
Eurojx'.  No  foniLina  :ion  could  force  bini  to  }deld 
to  demands  which  he  thought  unjust,  llepeatedly 
and  violently  assailed  Ly  tlie  press  for  discharging 
his  duty,  his  firmness  continued  unshaken,  and  he 
Avitnessed  unmoved,  alike  the  flattery  and  the  abuse 
of  those  who  attempted  to  control  him.  Innnovu- 
bly  fixed  in  the  honesty  of  his  purposes,  ho  faith- 
fully dischaiged  his  duties;  and  when  he  retired 
from  the  position  A\'hich  he  had  so  ably  occupied, 
the  country  lost  the  services  of  an  honest  man.  The 
ofiice  which  he  filled  l)rought  lum  more  immedi- 
ately in  contact  Avith  the  people  than  any  other 
under  the  Government ;  and  those  persons  whose 
lettei's  Avere  delayed,  no  matter  Avhat  the  cause, 
were  always  ready  to  attribute  it  to  the  fault  of 
Cave  Johnson.  It  is  always  convenient  to  have 
some  one  to  blame ;  and  those  gentlemen  Avho  Avere 
so  querulous  AA'hile  he  was  at  the  head  of  the  De- 
partmeut,  continued  to  pour  the  vials  of  their  Avrath 
upon  the  head  of  his  successor. 

John  Y.  Mason  of  Virginia,  a  mendoer  of  Mr. 
Tyler's  Cabinet,  received  at  first  from  Mr.  Polk 
the  ofiice  of  Attorney  General,  but  subsequently 
was  transferred  to  the  position  of  Secretary  of  the 
Wavy.  This  gentleman  is  the  A^ery  soul  of  convi- 
viality. Bland  and  urbane  in  his  manners,  he  Avtis 
always  A^ery  popidar  Avith  both  political  ])arties, 
Avliile  he  gaA-e  almost  universal  satisfaction  to  the 
ofticers  of  the  NaAy.  Ilis  judgment  Ava.s  sound  and 
discriminating,  and  Avitliout  ol)taining  as  much  char- 
acter for  energy  and  industry  as  the  other  members 


aiy 


POLK     ADjriNISTRATION.  29 

of  tlie  CaLinet,  still  liis  grasp  of  intellect  and  sound 
jwaetical  common  sense,  enal)led  him  to  seize  npou 
tlie  strong  points  of  a  question  witli  remarkable 
facility,  lie  possessed  a  thorougli  knowledge  of 
tilt  masses,  and  was,  therefore,  a  safe  Cabinet  coun- 
sellor. 

Messrs.  Clifford  of  Maine,  and  Toucey  of  Con- 
necticut, also  occui)ied  the  position  of  Attorney 
General  in  Mr.  Polk's  Cabinet,  and  proved  safe  and 
wise  counsellors,  and  profound  and  able  lawyers. 
The  former  gentleman  was  apjiointed  a  Commis- 
sioner to  Mexico,  and  the  latter  continued  in  office 
until  the  close  of  the  admmistratiou. 


of 


\ 


V 


V. 


»»-^ 


^^R*§acBlf  Silirinili  i:.Sni3l49 


00 


niSTOKY     OF     THE 


CHAPTER  II. 

First  Annual  Message  of  Mr.  Polk. — Annexation  of  Texas. — Adjustment  of 
the  Oregon  Question. 


On  the  first  day  of  December,  1845,  the  members 
of  the  29th  Congress  assembled  at  Washington. 
The  Hon.  John  W.  Davis  of  Indiana  was  elected 
Speaker  of  the  House,  and  the  accomplished  Vice 
President  of  the  United  States  presided  over  the 
deliberations  of  the  Senate.  On  the  following  day, 
Mr.  Polk  delivered  his  first  annual  message  to  Con- 
gi'ess.  At  that  time,  although  many  difficultieg 
were  unadjusted  between  the  United  States  and 
several  foreign  powers,  still  our  country  was  at 
peace  with  all  the  Avorld.*  The  policy  which  gov- 
erned the  administration  wa.s  that  upon  which  alone 
the  honor  of  the  countiy  can  be  maintained.f  To 
do  exact  justice  to  all  nations,  "vvins  theii*  good 


*  "  In  calling  the  attention  of  Congress  to  our  relations  with  foreign 
powers,  I  am  gratified  to  be  able  to  state  that,  though  with  some  of  them 
there  have  existed  since  your  last  Session  serious  causes  of  irritation  and 
misunderstanding,  yet  no  actual  hostilities  have  taken  place." — Message 
of  Mr.  Polk  to  Congress,  December  2d,  1846. 

f  "  Adopting  the  maxim  in  the  conduct  of  foreign  affairs,  to  '  ask 
nothing  that  is  not  right,  and  submit  to  nothing  that  is  wrong,'  it  has 
been  my  anxious  desire  to  preserve  peace  with  all  nations,  but  at  the  same 
time,  to  be  prepared  to  resist  aggression,  and  to  maintain  all  our  just 
rights." — Ibid,    For  this  message  see  Appendix. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


m. 


opinion,  while  a  determination  to  enforce  it  in  re- 
turn, coinniancls  their  resjiect. 

'^riie  message  called  the  attention  of  Congress  to 
the  (jnestion  of  the  .  lexation  of  Texas,  and  in- 
formed that  l)ody  that  he  had  approved  the  selec- 
tion made  by  his  ])redecessor  of  the  1st  and  2d 
sections  of  the  resolution  for  annexing  Texas  to  the 
United  States.  It  only  remained  for  Con^'css  to 
admit  that  State  into  the  Union  under  the  consti- 
tution Avhich  had  been  established  by  the  people, 
and  a  bill  f(jr  that  pur])ose  was  enrolled  on  the  27th 
of  December,  1845.  A  liberal  course  towards  that 
State  was  recommended  by  the  President,  that  her 
citizens  might  never  regret  a  re-union  Avith  the  land 
of  their  nativity. 

The  settlement  of  the  boundary  between  the 
United  States  and  Great  Biitain,  occupied  the  at- 
tention of  the  administi-ation  at  an  early  day.  Tlie 
bold  and  decisive  language  used  by  Mr.  Polk  in  his 
inaugural  address,*  produced  quite  a  sensation  in 
England,  and  the  British  ministry  were  satisfied 
that  the  period  for  i)rocrastinatiou  and  delay  had 
passed,  and  that  the  question  must  be  promptly 
met. 

The  attention  of  Congress  was  called  to  the  sub- 
ject by  Mr.  Polk  in  his  first  annual  message,  and 


*  "  Nor  will  it  become  in  a  less  degree  my  duty  to  assert  and  main- 
tain by  all  constitutional  means,  the  right  of  the  United  States  to  tliat  por- 
tion of  our  territory  which  lies  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Our  title  to 
the  country  of  Oregon  is  '  clear  and  unquestionable,'  and  already  are  our 
people  preparing  to  perfect  that  title  by  occupying  it  with  their  wives 
and  children." — Mr.  Polk's  Inaugural  Address. 


■"^ipwww 


82 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


tlie  speedy  adjustment  of  the  boundary  was  strongly 
recomniendcd.^* 

In  connection  Avitli  the  Oregon  question,  IMr, 
Polk  conuuitted  a  fatal  eri'or,  amounting  to  what 
Talleyrand  Avould  call  a  "blunder,"  and  -which, 
having  the  ellect  of  alienating  some  of  his  warmest 
friends,  greatly  embarrassed  liis  administration 
throuti^iout.  In  his  first  communicaticm  to  the 
American  ])eoj)le,  he  proclaimed  to  the  world,  that 
our  title  to  the  country  of  the  Oreg(jn  Avas  "clear 
and  un(pu'sti(^nal)le."  In  that  assertion  he  Avas  but 
reiterating  the  opinions  of  his  constituents,  solemnly 
exj)ressed  at  the  ballot-box.  The  statement  was 
still  more  solemnly  uttered  in  his  message  to 
Congn'<«;.f  In  the  same  communication  he  an- 
nounced a  pi'inciple  which  should  control  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States.J     If  it  is  the  un- 

*  "  All  attempts  at  compromise  having  fjiiled,  it  becomes  the  duty  of 
Congress  to  consider  what  measures  it  may  be  p-oper  to  adopt  for  the 
security  and  protection  of  our  citizens  now  inliabiting,  or  wlio  may  here- 
after iniuibit  Oregon,  and  for  the  maintenance  of  our  just  title  to  that 
territory.  This  notice  it  would,  in  my  judgment,  be  proper  to  give,  and 
I  recommend  that  provision  be  made  by  law  for  giving  it  accordingly, 
and  terminating,  in  this  manner,  the  convention  of  the  6th  of  August, 
1827." — Mrssage  if  Mr.  Polk  In  Congress,  Decemher,  1845. 

f  "  With  this  conviction  the  proposition  of  compromise  which  had 
been  made  and  rejected,  was  by  my  direction,  subsequently  withdrawn, 
and  our  title  to  the  whole  Oregon  territory  asserted,  and  as  is  believed, 
maintained  by  irrefragable  facts  and  arguments." — Ibid. 

\  "  Near  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  the  principle  was  distinctly  an- 
nounced to  the  world  in  the  annual  message  of  one  of  my  predecessors, 
tliat  '  tlie  American  continents,  by  the  free  and  independent  condition 
which  they  have  assumed  and  maintained,  are  henceforth  not  to  bo  con- 
Bidcrcd  as  subjects  for  future  colonization  by  any  European  power.' 
This  principle  will  apply  with  greatly  increased  force,  should  any  Euro- 
pean jjower  attempt  to  establish  any  new  colony  in  North  America.    In 


^. 


POLK     A  1)  .^I I  N  I  S  T  It  A  T  I  O  X  , 


33 


clii»iig('iil)le  })ulic'y  of  this  country  to  pveveiit  Euro- 
jK'iiiis  from  foloiiiziiig  any  portion  of  this  continent, 
it  ujjplies  to  tori'itory  to  which  we  have  no  chiini, 
as  well  as  to  that  which  litloiujis  to  us;  and  if  we  can- 
not sull'cr  them  to  colonize  ])ai'ts  of  tlie  American 
continent  to  which  we  have  no  claim,  how  can  wo 
surrender  teriitory  to  which  our  title  is  "clear  and 
umpiestionable  V* 

It  is  true,  ^Ii'.  Polk  stated  tliat  he  proposed  to 
the  Hi'itish  (lovernnu'nt  to  settle  tlie  boundary 
u]»on  the  4'Jth°  of  uoilh  latitude,  in  deference  to 
what  his  i)redecessors  had  done;  yet  by  that  offer 
he  agreed  to  sui'render  nearly  L*t)0,UUO,OUU  acres 
of  land  which  rightfully  belonged  to  the  Uuited 
States.f     It  is  dillicult  to   reconcile  this  coui'se  of 


llio  existing  circuinstancos  of  the  world,  tlie  pre.-ciit  is  deeinod  a  pniper 
occasion  to  reiterate  and  reallinii  tlie  principle  avowed  by  Mr.  iluiiroe, 
and  to  state  my  cordial  concurrence  in  its  wisdom  and  sonnd  policy.  Tlie 
re-assertion  of  this  principle,  especially  in  reference  to  \orth  America,  is 
at  this  day  lint  the  proiniilj^ation  of  a  policy  which  no  Kiiropcaii  power 
should  cherish  the  disposition  to  resist." — ML'fsdgc  af  Mr.  1'olk  to  dm- 
j^ress,  J)f amber,  18-15. 

*  "  'J'lie  proposition  thus  olTered  and  rejecteil,  re]ieated  the  ofler  of 
the  parallel  of  I'j"  of  north  latitude,  which  had  been  made  liy  two  pre- 
ccdiiifj  administrations,  but  without  proposinir  ti  surrender  to  (ireat  Bri- 
tain, as  they  had  done,  the  free  navigation  of  the  ColiiinbiaTliver." — //)/'(/. 

f  "  U|ioii  the  whole :  From  the  most  careful  and  ample  examination 
which  the  undersigneii  has  been  able  to  bestow  upon  the  subject,  he  is 
satisfied  that  the  Spanish  American  title,  now  hold  by  the  United  States, 
embracing  the  whole  territory  between  the  jiarallels  of  lii"  and  51°  lo', 
is  the  best  title  in  existence  to  this  entire  region ;  and  that  the  claim  of 
Great  Britain  to  any  portion  of  it  has  no  sutHcient  foundation.  Even 
British  Geographers  have  not  doubted  our  title  to  the  territory  in  dispute. 
There  is  a  large  and  s|)lendid  globe  now  in  the  Department  of  State, 
recently  received  from  London,  and  publislied  by  Malby  and  Company, 


JASPEK    i-lJiiivAHY, 
Oman!  >I[aicli  1.1H54, 


III 


«» 


n 


m: 


>   <c   , 


34 


HISTOKT     OF     THE 


action  with  the  principle  which  was  proclaimed  by 
Mr.  Monroe,  and  which  Mr.  Polk  himself  had  so 
forcibly  reiterated,  esjjecially  when  his  offer  ex- 
tended privileges  to  Great  Britain  never  offered  by 
his  predecessoi-s,  consisting  in  the  use  of  free  })c)rts 
on  the  southern  extremity  of  Vancouver's  Island. 
But  Avhen  the  propt isition  which  he  made  to  (Jreat 
Britain  Avas  almost  insultingly  rejected,*  there  avjis 
no  reason  Avhy  that  boundary  should  be  acco])ted 
by  our  Government,  if  tendered  by  Eiigliind.  I 
know  it  has  been  asserteil  Ijy  high  autliority,  that 
Mr.  Polk  could  not  refuse  a  proposition  whidi  he 
had  himself  offered  to  that  j)ower.  If  the  offer 
madi^  by  the  Executive  had  been  accepted,  then  it 
would  liave  l)een  binding,  but  it  was  rejected,  and 
then  Avithdrawn ;  the  two  G(>vernments,  therefore, 


'  mnniifacturers  and  publisliera  to  tlio  Society  for  tlio  Diffusion  of  Useful 
KnowledfTP,'  whirh  assiirns  tliis  territory  to  the  United  States. 

'■  Notwitlistanding  such  was  and  still  is  the  opinion  of  the  President, 
yet  in  tiie  spirit  of  compromise  and  concession,  and  in  deference  to  the 
action  of  liis  predecessors,  liie  undersigned,  in  oi)edience  to  his  instruc- 
tions, proposed  to  the  Britisii  Plenipotentiary  to  settle  the  controversy  by 
dividing  the  territory  in  dispute  by  the  49th  parallel  of  latitude,  offering 
at  the  same  time,  to  make  free  to  Grei''  Britain  any  port  or  ports  on  Van- 
couver's Island  south  of  this  latitude  which  the  Britisii  Government  might 
desire.  The  British  Plenipotentiary  iias  correctly  suggested  that  the  free 
navigation  of  the  Columbia  River  was  not  embraced  in  this  proposal  to 
Great  Britain ;  but,  on  the  otlier  hand,  the  use  of  free  ports  on  the 
Bouthern  extremity  of  this  island  had  not  been  included  in  former  offers." 
— Letter  of  the  Secretary  of  Slate  to  the  British  Minister,  Avgust  30th, 
1846. 

*  "  The  English  Ambassador  expressed  the  wish  that  the  Government 
of  the  United  States  would  make  '  some  further  proposal  for  the  settle- 
ment of  the  Oregon  question,  more  consistent  with  fairness  and  equity, 
and  with  the  reasonable  expectations  of  the  British  Government' " — Mr. 
Polk's  Message  to  Congress,  December,  1846. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


35 


occupied  the  same  position  wliich  tliey  did  hct'ore 
it  was  made.  Tlie  argument  is,  tluit  we  could  not 
refuse  an  oft'er  we  were  blind  enough  to  make  our- 
selves.  All  agree  that  the  President  could  not 
have  made  a  more  lil)eral  proposition;  and  still,  in 
1818  and  in  1S:.'(),  our  (lovernment  tendered  to 
(rreat  Britain  the  49th'^  of  north  latitude,  together 
Avith  the  free  navigation  of  the  Columbia  River 
south  of  that  line.  Now  if  we  were  b(nmd  to 
acci'])t  as  lil)eral  an  offer  as  we  had  nnide,  we 
should  l)e  forced  to  accede  to  the  pro|)osition  which 
Ave  j)roj)osed  in  1818  and  in  182().  If  that  would 
not  have  been  admissible,  then  the  argument  fails 
to  exculpate  the  administration. 

The  announcement  l)y  INlr.  Polk  that  our  title 
•was  good  to  the  Avliole  of  the  Oregon  Tei'ritory, 
Avas  suppoi'ted  by  the  facts  Avhich  Avere  fully  illus- 
trated in  that  celeln-ated  debate  in  Congress,  Avhich 
Mr.  Adams  i)ronounced  the  aldest  he  Inul  ever 
listened  to.  The  territory  Avest  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  and  between  latitude  42°  and  61",  un- 
questionably belonged  to  Spain  prior  to  the  Nootka 
CoUA'ention  l)etAveen  tluit  country  and  England,  in 
1700;  and  it  is  important  to  ascertain  Avhether 
Spain  conveyed  the  sovereignty  which  she  pos- 
sessed in  Oregon  to  Great  Britain  ])y  the  terras  of 
that  convention.  To  determine  that  fact  it  is  only 
necessary  to  examine  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth 
articles.*    By  the  third  article  it  was  simply  agreed 


^ 


•  "  Art.  3.  In  order  to  strengthen  the  bonds  of  friendship,  and  to  pro- 
serve  in  future  a  perfect  harmony  and  gooA  understanding  between  the 
two  contracting  parties,  >t  is  agreed  that  their  respective  subjects  shall 


X 

^ 

"i 


86 


UISTOUY     0  1-'     THE 


tlmt  tlic  i<nl>j('cts  of  tlie  two  lili,'li  contract iiiL,'  imrties 
should  liavc;  tlie  li^lit  of  trading,'  with  the  Indians 
and  navigating  the  waters  in  that  portion  of  the 
Avorld,  and  to  make;  settlements,  sulyect  to  the  I'e- 
strictions  specified  in  the  subsecpient  articles.  Ar- 
ticle 4th  speciiied  that  the  sulijects  of  (Ireat  I'ritain 
should  not  navigate  or  carry  on  their  fisheiy  within 
ten  sea  leagues  from  any  i)art  of  the  coasts  occupied 
])y  Spain.  It  is  ditlicult  to  imagine  n'liat  rights 
England  could  have  had  wheri'  such  jwirticul'ir 
lanLTuaire  was  used  to  iruard  the  privileu'es  of  Si):in- 
ish  subjects.  ^Vi'ticle  ath  stated  that  all  islands, 
and  parts  of  the  northwestern  coasts  of  Xoi'th 
America,  mtuafe  to  the  north  of  thi  /////'t'S-  of  tJia 
■said  coast 'S  already  occupied  hij  Spain,  should   ho 


not  bo  disliirliivl  or  iiiolori.'il  ciilier  in  imvij,nillni|  or  Ciirryiiif,'  on  llioir 
fislipries  in  the  Piicilic  oopuii  or  in  tlio  South  sciis.  or  in  liniiiini;  on  the 
consts  of  those  pons  if,  |ilu(!f.s  not  already  occupied,  for  tlio  |)iir|)o<o  of 
carryini;  on  their  coininoA'o  willi  tlie  natives  of  the  country,  or  of  nialiinj; 
settlements  there — the  whole  snbjcct,  nevertheless,  to  the  restrictions 
speciiied  in  the  two  followini;  articles." 

"AiiT.  1.  His  Uritannic  Majesty  cnpatres  to  take  the  most  effectnnl 
measures  to  prevent  the  navii^ation  and  tiie  lisliinir  of  his  sid)jects  in  the 
Pacitic  ocean  or  in  the  Sontii  seas  from  hcini;  made  a  pretext  for  illicit 
trade  with  the  Spanish  settlements ;  and  with  this  view,  it  is  moreover 
expressly  stipulated,  that  British  subjects  shall  not  naviifate,  or  carry  on 
their  fishery  in  the  said  seas,  within  the  space  of  ten  sea  leagues  from 
any  part  of  the  coasts  already  occupied  by  Spain. 

"  Art.  5.  As  well  in  the  places  which  are  to  lie  restored  to  the  Briliph 
subjects,  by  virtue  of  the  first  article,  as  in  all  other  parts  of  the  north- 
western coasts  of  North  America,  or  of  the  islands  adjacent,  situate  to 
the  north  fif  the  parts  of  the  said  coast  already  occupied  by  Spain, 
wherever  the  subjects  of  either  of  the  two  powers  shall  have  made  settle- 
ments since  the  month  of  April,  1789,  or  shall  hereafter  make  any,  the 
subjects  of  the  other  shall  have  free  access,  and  shall  carry  on  their  trade 
without  any  disturbance  or  molestation." 


POLK     ADMINIHTIt  ATION. 


a7 


()[)('n  to  the  siihjt'ctrt  of  hoth  nations  to  carry  on 
tlu'ii'  trade  without  disturltancc;  or  molestation.  It 
Ix'comes  important  to  asc(;rtain  what  was  the  most 
northern  j)oint  "oc'i'ni)i«Ml"  l»y  Spain  in  171X1.  Licu- 
ti'uant  Meaivs,  a  suhjcct  of  (ircat  Hi'itain,  estab- 
lishes conchisively  that  eij^htecii  months  hefoie  the 
convention  of  IT'.M)  was  sii^ncd,  tlie  Spi-'.iiards  occu- 
jiied  Nootka,*  and  that  pUice  w  iiortli  of  latitude 
4'Ji°.  All  that  EnjL,dand  can  make,  then,  out  of 
that  convention,  is  a  j(jint  v'v^ht  of  tiade  with  S])ain 
i'.i  the  country  north  of  latituch;  4!)^^^  At  the 
time  this  treaty  was  made  Ijetween  En^^^land  and 
Spain,  the  former  power  wiw  only  an.\ious  to  enable 
her  subjects  to  trade  with  the  Indians,  and  eiii^age 
in  the  fisheries;  there  is  not  the  sliL(htest  evidence 
to  be  gathered  from  tin;  t(;rms  (jf  the  convention, 
that  she  wan  desirous  of  securing  for  her  subjects 
thii permanent  ])ossession  of4he  country.  This  is 
apparent  from  the  fact  that  the  jirinci])al  object  of 
the  convention  ap])ears  to  have  been  to  place  restric- 
tions upon  the  right  of  trad*;  and  fishing,  so  that 
the  subjects  of  the  two  nations  might  not  interfere 
with  each  other,  and  tlu;  limits  of  these  rights  were 
defined  by  the  settlement  of  the  two  powers.  This 
convention  contained  no  provisions  inii)airing  the 
sovereignty  of  Spain. 

All  the  rights  which  Sppm  possessed  upon  the 


*  Meares'  expressions  aro  that  Martinez  "took  posscHsion  of  the 
lands  belonginpf  to  your  ineimrlallKt,  lioi^tinj;  tlicreoii  tlio  clandiird  of 
Spain,  and  performing  sucii  rorpinonios  bh  your  niomoriiilist  is  informed 
are  usual  on  such  oprasions.  He  tlien  proreoded  fo  iinild  Iwittcrics,  store- 
houses, &c." — Memorial  of  Lieut.  Meakes  to  the  Jirilinh  Gotnrnment. 


T" 


38 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


northwest  coast  were  ceeded  hy  that  power  to  the 
United  States  Ly  the  treaty  of  1819.* 

The  title  wJiich  we  acquired  to  that  country 
from  Spain  does  not  preclude  us  from  joining  to  it 
the  claim  wliich  was  made  by  the  United  States 
upon  the  ground  of  discoveries,  ox])lorations,  and 
settlements.  In  May,  1792,  Cai)tain  (Jroy,  in  the 
f<hip  Columl)ia  from  Boston,  entered  tin;  mouth  of 
the  Columl)ia  River,  sailed  up  the  str'jam  for  sev- 
eral miles,  and  gave  it  the  name  which  ..t  has  sincv^ 
borne.  It  is  true  that  the  British  coiumissioiici's  in 
1820,  in  the  statement  annexed  to  the  protocol 
of  the  sixth  conference,  asserted  that  Lieutenant 
Meares,  in  1788,  entered  the  bay  of  the  Cohnnbia. 
That  he  had  never  entered  the  mouth  of  the  Co- 
lumbia Kiver  is  evident  from  the  statement  whic.-h 
he  made  in  his  journal.f  Tradition  had  located 
the  mouth  of  that  stream  in  the  latitude  whei'c  it 
Avas  afterwards  found  by  Captain  Grey,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Meares  having  ftiiled  to  discover  it,  ex])ressed 
his   dissatisftiction  by   ginng  to   the  promontory 


*  "  Tlie  two  liiffli  cnntractinii  parties  nf^rpo  to  ccdi)  and  rcnounco  all 
their  rights,  claims,  and  prctpiisions  to  the  tc-rritorics  described  by  llio 
said  line  :  that  is  to  say,  the  United  States  Iieroby  cede  to  his  Catholic 
Majesty,  and  renounce  for  over  all  tin  ir  rights,  claims,  and  pretensions  to 
the  territories  lying  west  and  sonfh  of  the  i^jove  descrilR^d  line,  (12°,) 
and  in  like  mat,ner  his  (J;.',holic  Majesty  cedes  to  the  United  States  all 
his  rights  and  claims  and  pretensions  to  any  territory  east  nnd  north  of 
the  said  line,  and  for  himself,  his  heirs,  and  Kucccssors,  renounces  all 
claim  to  the  said  territories  for  over." — Tnntijnf  1819,  hetwcrn  the  United 
States  and  Spain. 

f  "  ito  can  now  ,'afoly  assert  that  there  is  no  such  river  as  that  of  St. 
Roc  existing,  as  laid  down  in  the  Spanish  charts." — Jimrnal  of  Lieut. 

MXAKES. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


m 


i 


the  name  of  Cape  Diaappointment,  and  the  hay 
obtained  tlie  appellation  of  Deception  Bay.  But 
admitting  that  he  did  discover  the  mouth  of  the 
Columbia  lliver,  the  Portuguese  and  not  the  Eng- 
lish were  entitled  to  its  benefits.* 

The  next  question  is,  whether  we  followed  up 
our  discoveiy  soon  enough  by  exploration  and  set- 
tlement, to  perfect  our  title ;  and  in  coming  to  a 
conclusion  upon  this  sulyect,  Ave  must  take  into  con- 
sideration the  great  distance  to  that  country,  and 
the  obstacles  which  nature  has  thrown  in  our  wa}'. 
The  valley  of  the  Mississippi  was  not  then,  as  now. 
thronged  with  a  hardy  and  adventurous  population. 
TlK>se  vast  prairies  which  spread  out  far  to  the  west- 
ward, had  never  been  ti-a versed  by  tlie  white  man. 
The  solitude  of  those  gloomy  forests  had  never  been 
disturljed  by  any  thing  but  the  Indian  Avarwhoop,  and 

*  "  For  llie  expedition  in  q\iestion,  two  vessels  were  fitted  oiv.  at  tlic 
PortufTiiese  port  of  Maciio,  near  Canton,  in  China,  Irom  wliicli,  as  already 
mentioned,  several  voyages  had  been  previously  made  to  the  northwest 
coasts  of  America,  in  search  of  lirs.  They  were  both  placed  nniler  the 
direction  of  John  Meares,  a  lieutenant  in  the  British  navy,  on  iialf  pay. 
wlio  sailed  in  the  ship  Felice,  as  suporcari;o ;  the  other  vessel,  the  briij 
Iphigenia,  also  carried  a  British  subject,  William  Douglass,  in  the  same 
capacity ;  both  vessels,  were,  however,  commanded,  ostensibly  at  least,  I.y 
Portugnusc  captains ;  they  were  both  furnished  with  passport.s  and  other 
papers  in  the  Portuguese  language,  granted  by  the  Portuguese  autho- 
rities of  Macao,  and  showing  them  to  be  the  jiroperty  of  .luan  Cavallo,  a 
Portuguese  merchant  of  that  place.  The  instructions  for  the  conduct  of 
the  voyage  were  written  only  in  the  Portngueso  language,  and  contained 
nothing  whatsoever  calculated  t',  attbnl  the  slightest  ground.s  for  suspi- 
cion that  other  than  P  irtuguesc  subjects  were  interested  in  the  enter- 
prise. Finally,  the  vessels  sailed  from  Macao  on  the  1st  of  January. 
1788,  under  the  Portuguese  flog,  and  there  is  no  sufliciont  proof  that  any 
other  was  displayed  by  them  durmg  the  expedition.'' — Greenlww's  His- 
tory of  Oregon,  p.  17a. 


.   Oi-^aiK4l»»>«lil.ltt5'i, 


m 


H I S  T  O  B  Y     OF     T  JJ  K 


over  the  trackless  regions  of  the  Jio<kv  M'.iVAt.nns 
tlie  grisly  bear  roamed  unmolested.  Wiiftll'  -mM  these 
(liflicnlties,  common  sense  wcjuld  lt^a«J  u*^  ;ii*«vllil'Y  to 
tlic.  conclusion,  that  in  the  ex])l(j]'ati<>u  iwll  .^^^f;  - 
nifiit  of  Oregon,  it  wa-s  done  in  u  rt^fAv//^///^  fhu,^ 
after  tiie  discovery  of  the  mouth  <jf  th*'  .^..  Uf>f  hj 
Captain  Grey.  In  May,  1804,  I>e\vjs  xo^'^  (%\\\ 
commissioned  hy  the  Ciovei-nmcut  iA'  fti'^j**-  i''.tv^f*^(\ 
States,  ])egan  the  ascent  of  tlie  jMiss<>uJ'i.  v^A  <'>^  the 
l.-jth  of  Nuvendjei',  ISC'),  they  arj-ived  nA  S|l^<^  Anv.nf.h 
of  the  Columl)ia.  This  was  evidence  t<.)  itiW  l^^IJ^.•fl^<•^ns 
of  the  earth,  that  our  Government  ha<j  ttsv>titiw|i  Iwr 
title  to  the  territory.  In  March,  JH]  ],  A-HV.i»iW  ^va8 
settled  hy  a  colony  sent  from  Ne\v-y<^j'l(,. 

Fi'om  the  admissions  and  acts  (^*  Jtii^jl^iclK  c>nr 
title  to  the  whole  of  Oregon  can  be  Hdd:W^wll..  |''ir.st. 
When  the  negotiations  of  1818  \\ny*t  'l^  '^i'^c^^fcm 
})et\veen  this  eouiiti-y  and  EiigkiucI,  wo  ^imm  Vtas 
urged  by  the  latter  powei'  to  thi'  terri*<.i»\v  6f  (fre;- 
gon  under  the  Nookta  Convention.  A--  ;4i*i>a«  the 
llriglisa  are  to  seize  every  ])retext  f(>r  tiUe  (t*<V"ttsi<-in 
of  their  lioundaries,  it  is  n(jt  to  Itc  siWji,)rtrf'«<>i'li  that 
tl'ey  would  suffer  any  o])poitunity  to  i.^ti{*,.  \ViJfIrir>»  f, 
iip]>rising  the  nations  of  the  eai-th  i^'  ih>;  itii«>.„.- 
which  they  possess. 

Second.  Astoria  wa.s  su^rendeied  t*^  ftlU*- ?'ViiferI 
States  under  the  first  article  (;f  the  'I  j«^ti/t'V  ,'4  Vth^r\t 
and  Avas  accepted  by  the  American  i!AHmm^<x\et* 


*  "  In  obedience  to  tlie  commands  of  his  Royal  JiitttuH.i*,  i|iri  I^'^'ince 
Resent,  Fignified  in  a  dispntcli  from  the  RiirJit  Houw#l'i>  :<li^  ft«f|  f^i- 
Ihnrsf,  addressed  to  lli  ■  (mrtners  or  njr>  :itK  of  '!i.  NiK|. ...,«'  virtmnn.  ■• 
bearing  date  the  '27lli  of  January,  1818,  and  i'l  oliudiej«;i  '-,  f  .      rtnuent 


r  O  L  K     A  J)  .\I  I  V  I  «  T  i:  A  T  r  O  N' 


41 


k 

r" 


Third.  In  1S19  \v(;  im\\\\vi-A  all  tlic  rights  t»f 
Si)aiu  to  the  nortliwcst  coa-t,  north  of  the  42(1  de- 
gree of  north  latitude,  witliout  any  protest  n])on 
the  part  of  (Jreat  Hritain,  wlio  'veil  knew  that  Spain 
claiiiied  the  sovereignty  of  ilur  ^oil  as  far  north  as 
latitude  (11'='. 

Fourth.  By  the  convention  hefween  tlie  I'^nited 
States  and  Ivussia  in  lH:i4,  the  houndary  hetweeu 
the  twopoweis  was  iixed  in  latitude  54"  40'*.  We 
thus  ceded  to  Russia  ('»'"  and  iJO',  or  an  extent  of 
country  along  the  coast  of  .'WjO  miles.     If  England 


onior,  (liitnd  the  2Gtli  of  July,  Uum  \V.  A,  HIicrifT,  Ks(|  ,  riiptiiin  of  his 
Majoslys  sliip  Aiidroiimcln',  we  tin.-  iiii')'T«i[.'nc'l,  do,  in  ronforiiiily  to  tlio 
f'rst  article  of  tlio  Treaty  of  (ilii-iit,  r<'M<)r<r  lo  the  (Jovpriiriipntof  tlio  Tni- 
\.cA  States,  throiigli  its  nuent,  J.  I'.  I'r«v»>«t,  Y,w\,,  tho  sottlcineiit  of  Fort 
'•( ;or<;o,  on  tlio  ('oliiiiibia  river. 

■'  fJiven  under  our  liatids,  in  tri|)licaUr,  at  Fort  (J^orgp,  (Columbia 
.1  •  -r.)  this  6th  day  of  Octoljer,  18H. 

"P.  HICKKY, 
"  Captiiin  of  hi«  ^fnjcsly'H  nhip  Hiossom. 
"J.  KKITII, 
"Of  tlie  Northwest  Company." 

"  1  do  hernhy  ackr.owledfre  to  liavp  tlii*  <l«y  rf"*fivp(l,  in  behalf  of  the 
Goveriinu'i  I  the  United  Staten,  M/-  jfv,ii«<«/V/n  nf  ihr  nctlhmi'nl  ihai'^- 
nalid  nlimr,  in  rouforuiily  to  tli<!  (ir»t  ttrtir.U:  of  the  Treaty  of  (ilient. 
Given  under  my  liand,  in  triplicate',  at  F'irt  Ctenri',!,  (Columbia  river,)  tliis 
6th  day  of  October,  1818. 

"J.  B.  PREVOST, 
"  Agr^t  of  tfic  United  States." 

♦  "  ft  is  moreover  a^rreed,  that,  hereafl'-r,  there  "hntl  not  be  formed  by 
he  ■•itizens  of  the  United  Stalt'H,  or  under  thf;  authority  of  the  United 
States,  any  establishment  upon  tho  northwert  roHrt  of  America,  nor  in 
any  of  the  islands  adjacent  to  ihf  n/irlh  (if  fifty-four  def»Tecs  and  forty 
minutes  of  north  latitude  ;  and  in  the  ►ariio  innnner,  there  shall  be  none 
formed  by  Russian  subjects,  or  under  the  aiiihor'.fy  of  Ku->sia,  snulh  of  the 
same  parallel." — Convcnlion  belmen  Ote  L'tiiird  Sirttet  anif  liussia,  1824. 


4 


4-2 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


'  .(I  ]>!)ssessecl  title  to  this  soil,  would  she  have  calmly 
..  ■  ^uietly  suft'ered  it  to  be  traded  off  l)y  one  power 
to  ...lother  ? 

Fifth.  So  for  from  objecting  to  the  establishment 
of  the  boundary  between  the  United  States  and 
llussia,  upon  the  parallel  of  ^)i°  40',  and  a  conse- 
([uent  conveyance  to  Russia  of  0°  of  territory 
which  A\'e  ol)tained  from  Si)ain,  England,  in  1825, 
estaljlished  her  Ijouiulary  Avith  Russia,  making  the 
j)arallel  of  i')i°  40'  the  basis.  By  that  convention 
JOngland  obtained  from  Russia  an  extent  of  country 
three  hundred  and  sixty  miles  in  length,  Avhich  the 
Russians  derived  from  tlie  United  States — the  hitter 
pOAver  holding  under  Spain.  And  yet  the  English 
Government  disjmte  the  A'alidity  of  our  Spanish 
title.* 

Sixth.  By  the  couA^ention  of  1818,  England  had 
a  joint  I'ight  of  trade  Avith  the  United  States,  in  the 
territories  possessed  by  both  poAvera  Avest  of  the 


*  AnriCLK  3.  "Tlielineofdemnrkntioii  between  the  possessions  of  the 
hifjh  contnictinf^  parties  upon  tiic  const  of  tlie  continent,  and  tlie  islands 
of  Amorira  to  tlie  northwest,  shall  be  drawn  in  the  manner  following: 
Commencing  from  the  northernmost  point  of  the  Island  called  Prince  of 
Wales's  Island,  which  point  lies  in  the  parallel  iif  54°  40'  north  latitude, 
nnd  between  the  131st  and  133d  degree  of  west  loiifiitude  (meridian  of 
Grfpnwich).  The  said  line  shall  ascend  to  the  north  along  the  channel 
called  Portland  channel,  as  far  as  the  point  of  the  continent  where  it 
strikes  the  5t)lh  degree  of  north  latitude.  From  this  last  mentioned  point 
the  line  of  demarkation  shall  follow  the  summit  of  the  mountains  situate 
parallel  !o  the  coast,  as  far  ns  the  point  of  intersection  of  the  141st  degree 
of  west  longitude  (of  the  same  meridian).  And,  fmally,  from  the  said 
point  of  intersection,  the  said  meridian  line  of  the  14l8t  degree,  in  its  |)ro- 
longation  as  far  as  the  Frozen  Ocean,  shall  form  the  limit  between  Rus- 
sian and  British  possessions  on  the  continent  of  America  to  tlie  north- 
west."— Treaty  between  England  and  Russia,  1825. 


I 


POLK     ADSriNISTKATION. 


43 


Stony  Mountains*  The  convention  of  1827,  in- 
definitely extended  and  continued  in  force  the  con- 
vention of  1818,  giving,  however,  to  either  of  the 
contracting  parties  the  right  to  abi'ogate  it  upon 
giving  to  tlie  other  party  twelve  mouths'  notice. 

England,  under  the  convention  of  1818,  had  a 
riglit  to  trade  ])etween  the  42d  and  the  Gist  degrees 
of  north  latitude,  as  our  title  emhraced  the  terri- 
tory l)etween  these  parallels.  But  l)etween  the 
conveutions  of  1818  and  1827,  the  convention  of 
1824  was  adopted  between  llussia  and  the  United 
States,  l)y  Avhioli  we  transferred  the  soil  north  of 
54°  40'  to  Kussia,  and  consequently  when  the  con- 
vention of  1827  was  adopted,  England  had  not  the 
right  of  trade  even,  noi'tli  of  !')i°  4(V.  It  is  not  to 
])e  supi)os('d  that  England,  if  she  li.id  rights  in  Ore- 
gon at  that  time,  would  have  suffered  them  to  Ite  so 
grossly  violated. 

But  there  is  another  treaty  which  precludes 
Great  Britain  from  setting  up  a  claim  to  territory 
west  of  the  INIississijipi  river.  By  the  seventh  arti- 
cle of  the  treaty  ])etwecn  (ireat  Jiritaiu  and  France 


♦  "  It  is  ogrree'l  llmt  niiy  rountry  tlint  may  ho  rlnimod  by  piflipr  party 
on  tlie  iiortlnvppt  Cdast  of  America,  westward  of  the  Stony  Mniinfains, 
sliall,  tdifctlwr  witli  its  liarlmrs,  liays,  ami  creeks,  and  the  navifratioii  of 
nil  rivers  witliin  tlie  same,  be  free  and  open  for  tlio  term  often  years  from 
the  date  of  tlie  sifrnatiirn  of  the  present  convention,  to  the  vessels,  citi- 
zens, and  subjects  of  the  two  powers  ;  it  being  well  understood  that  this 
Bgreemont  is  not  to  be  construed  to  tlio  prejudicp  of  any  claim  which 
cither  of  the  two  hif;h  contractinji;  parties  may  have  to  any  part  of  said 
country,  nor  shall  it  bo  taken  to  ad'i'ct  the  claims  of  any  other  power  or 
State  to  any  part  of  the  said  country,  the  only  object  of  the  high  contract- 
ing parties,  in  that  respect,  being  to  prevent  disputes  and  differences 
among  themselves." 


< 


tn 


at 


44 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


in  1763,  the  boundary  between  the  two  countries  in 
the  new  A\orhl  was  iixed  ivrevocuUij  in  the  middle 
of  the  ]\[ississippi  river,  from  its  source  to  tlie  river 
Iberville,  and  from  thence  1)y  a  line  drawn  along 
the  middle  of  this  river,  and  the  lakes  IManrcpas 
and  Pontchartrain,  to  the  sea.*  In  18U3,  France 
conveyed  to  the  United  States  whatever  rights  she 
acquired  to  the  territory  lying  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi river  from  England,  by  the  treaty  of  1783. 

A  deteri)iinatiou  to  enforce  the  claim  which  we 
hac,  to  the  territory  of  Oregon,  had  been  solemnly 
announced  in  various  forms  by  the  Government  of 
the  L  nitetl  States.  The  recommendation  contained 
in  the  President's  message  to  Congress,  to  give  no- 
tice to  Great  Britain  that  the  joint  occu])ancy  of 
the  territory  of  Oregon  shouhl  cease,  was  discussed 
at  gi'eat  length  in  Congress.  A  debate  remarkable 
for  its  ability,  and  the  display  (jf  varied  and  exten- 
sive accpiirements,  followed  the  introduction  of  reso- 
lutions giving  the  twelve  months'  notice,  in  pui'su- 
ance  of  the  convention  of  1827.  Masterly  inacti- 
vity was  ]iroclaimed  by  the  distinguished  Senator 
from  South  Carolina,  as  the  true  policy  of  the  Uni- 
ted States.  Pecuniary  interests  and  sectional  feel- 
ing characterized  the  j)rogress  of  that  discussion. 
Fears  were  manifested  that  the  country  would  be 
involved  in  a  war  with  Great  Britain,  resulting  in 

*  "  The  confines  between  the  dominions  of  his  Urilnnnic  Majesty  in 
that  part  of  the  world  (the  continent  of  America)  shall  \)e  JixeJ  irreviKO- 
bly,  by  a  line  drawn  along  the  middle  of  tiie  river  Mississippi,  from  its 
source  to  the  river  Iberville,  and  from  thence  by  a  line  drawn  along  the 
middle  of  tiiis  river,  and  the  lakes  Maurepas  and  Pontchartrain,  to  the 
sea." — Treaty  ofndZ,  between  France  and  Great  Britain, 


POLK     ADHriNISTKATION, 


45 


: 


tlie  (lostructioii  of  our  commerce,  and  financial  em- 
barrassment and  ruin.  Southern  re])resentative3 
gave  indications  of  a  willingness  to  sui-render  a  por- 
tion of  the  territory,  to  destroy  the  growing  ascen- 
dency of  tlie  nortli.  The  cliaracteristics  of  tlie 
nicmhers  from  the  two  great  sections  of  tlie  Con- 
federacy seemed  to  liave  clianged,  and  impassioned 
ekxpience,  and  fiery  denunciation  l)reathed  through 
every  sentence  Avhicli  was  uttered  Ly  the  represen- 
tatives from  the  Noi'thern  States  ;  wliile  a  tenqxai- 
ziug,  if  not  a  timid  policy,  controlled  many  of  the 
re])resentatives  from  the  South.  After  a  long  and 
]U'otraeted  discnssioii,  the  resolutions  passed  the 
House  of  lif'pi'eseiitatives  on  the  9th  of  IVhruary, 
lS4r.,'"'  ]G;')  mendiers  voting  in  the  ailirmative,  and 
54  in  the  nei^ative.  Of  the  ailirmative  votes,  124 
were  democrats,  and  ■">',)  were  wliigs:  558  Avhigs 
voted  in  the  negative,  and    IG  democrats.  »It  will 

*  "  .Tniiit  rpsnhitioii  of  iioficc  to  (I'roa!.  l)rit;iin  to"  aiuiul  Miil  abrofjjite 
'•  llir  roTivciilicm  l)ot\vi'i-'ii  Grrat  I'riiaii)  and  lla-  Uiiilcd  States,  of  the  sixth 
of  Aiii,'nst,  cii.'litocn  ImiKlred  and  twcrity-si'vcn,  relative  to  the  country 
"  on  the  northwest  coast  of  America,  westward  of  the  Stony  Mountains, 
coininonly  called  Oregon. 

"  R'-sdhril,  By  the  Senate  and  Ilonse  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  ('■'ii^'ress  assembled,  that  the  I'residcnt  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  canse  notice  to  he  ^'iveii  to  the  (iovernment  of  (ireat  Uritain, 
that  the  convention  lietwcen  the  United  States  of  America  and  Great 
Uritain,  concorninfr  the  territory  of  the  northwest  coast  of  America,  west 
of  the  Stony  or  Rocky  Mountains,  of  the  sixth  day  of  Aiiiriist,  eijihtecn 
hiuidre(l  and  twenty-seven,  sicrned  at  London,  shall  he  annulled  and  abro- 
gated twelve  months  after  giving  :-ai(l  notice. 

"  Jti'sohrd,  That  nothing  herein  contained  is  intended  to  interfere  with 
the  right  and  discretion  of  the  proper  authorities  of  the  two  contracting 
parties,  to  renew  or  pursue  negotiations  for  an  amicable  -sottletLont  of  the 
controversy  respecting  the  Oregon  territory." — Itntoliilions  which  passed 
the  House  of  Representalkcs,  U.  S.,  Vcbruarij  Qlh,  1849. 


40 


IMSTOUY     OF     THE 


be  discovered  that  a  large  majority  of  those  Avho 
voted  for  the  resolutions  Avere  democrats,  A\hile  a 
large  luajority  of  those  who  recorded  their  names 
in  the  negative,  were  Avhigs. 

The  resolutions  were  transmitted  to  the  Senate 
and  Avere  amended  in  that  hody  1)y  a  vote  of  150  to 
24,  and,  as  amended,  tliey  passed  the  Senate  on  the 
lOtli  of  April,  1840.  Forty  Senators  voting  .in  the 
affirmative  and  fourteen  in  the  neijative.*  It  Avill 
be  discovered  that  there  was  a  striking  difference 
between  the  resolutions  passed  hy  the  House  and 
by  the  Senate.  The  former  Avere  mandatory,  and 
directed  the  President  to  cause  notice  to  he  given, 
while  the  latter  thrcAv  ui)on  the  Executive  the  en- 
tire responsil)ility  of  performing  that  act.  The 
House  resolutions  specified  that  it  Avas  not  the  in- 
tention of  that  body  to  interfere  Avith  the  right 
and  dificretion  of  the  proper  authorities  to  renew 
or  pursue  negotiations  for  an  amicable  settlement 
of  the  contr(jversy  respecting  the  Oregon  territory. 
The  resolutions  of  the  Senate  asked  the  earnest 
and  immediate  attention  of  both  Governments  to 
renewed  efforts  for  the  amicable  settlement  of  all 

*  "  And,  therefore,  steps  be  taken  for  the  abrogation  of  tlio  snid  con- 
vention of  the  6th  of  August,  1827,  in  the  mode  prescribed  in  its  second 
article,  and  that  the  attention  of  the  Governments  of  both  connfries  may 
be  the  more  earnestly  and  immediately  directed  to  renewed  efforts  for  the 
amicable  settlement  of  all  their  differences  and  disputes  in  respect  to  the 
Baid  territory. 

"  And  be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  United  States 
be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorized,  at  his  discretion,  to  give  to  the  British 
Government,  the  notice  required  by  its  said  second  article  for  the  abroga- 
tion of  the  said  convention  of  the  6th  of  August,  1837." — Senate  JZeM^ 
lutions. 


i 


i 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


47 


their  (Inferences  and  disputes  in  respect  to  said  ter- 
ritory. On  the  18th  of  April  the  House  2)roceeded 
to  amend  the  amendment  of  the  Senate,*  l)y  a  vote 
of  100  to  87,  and  as  amended  tliey  passed  by  a 
vote  of  14-1  to  40.  A  motion  was  made  on  the 
20th  of  April,  l.y  ]\Ir.  Allen  of  Ohio,  that  the 
Senate  agree  to  the  auu-iidments,  which  was  nega- 
tived l)y  a  vote  of  29  to  21.  A  committee  of  con- 
ference was  a])pointed  by  ballot,  and  resulted  in 
the  selection  of  Messrs.  Berrien,  Haywood,  and 
C(jrwin.  Those  who  were  in  favor  of  enforcing  our 
rights  to  the  whole  of  ()i-egon,  saw  in  the  selection 
of  this  committee  a  surrender  of  a  portion  of  that 
territory.  There  was  much  more  in  the  parliamen- 
tary tactics  of  the  op})osition  mend)ers  of  the  Sen- 
ate, and  the  reserve  Avho  acknowledged  John  C. 
Calhoun  as  their  leader,  than  was  generally  sup- 
posed. Those  who  did  not  a})solutcly  deny  our 
title  to  the  whole  of  tlie  Oregon  territory,  still 
manage<l  by  an  evasive  and  su])tle  ])olicy  to  throw 
ol)stacles  in  the  way  of  a  promjit  adjustment  of  the 
question.  Instead  of  assuming  the  power  Avhich 
justly  belonged  to  Congress  of  giving  the  notice  to 
Great  Britain,  they  Avere  determined  to  throw  the 
entire  responsil)ility  upon  the  Executive. 

The  Senate  committee  met  the  one  appointed 
by  the  House,  consisting  of  Messrs.  C.  J.  IngersoU, 
Owen,  and  Hilly ard,  and  their  joint  efforts  pro- 

*  "  And  be  it  further  enacted,  Tliat  tlie  President  of  the  United  States 
is  authorized  nnd  requested  to  give  to  the  British  Government  the  notice 
required  by  its  snid  second  article  for  the  abrogation  of  the  convention  of 
the  6th  of  August,  1827." — Amendment  of  the  House  to  the  Amendment 
</  the  Senate,  Congressional  Olnbe,  1st  Session  2M  Cor^ress,  p.  693. 


t^\^S«»?  March  1.  IJJ.'t'I, 


48 


ir  I  8  T  O  It  Y     O  F     T  11  E 


tluced  wluvt  Avns  scarcely  ro^garded  as  n,  compromise 
botweeii  tlio  tAvu  Houses.*  The  Senate  agreed  to 
the  report  of  tlie  committee  Ly  a  vote  f(f  A2  to  10, 
and  tlie  House  Ly  a  vote  of  142  to  4G.  Altlioiii^di 
the  report  "vvliicli  tlius  received  the  sanction  of  Con- 
gress, threw  tlie  responsil)ility  upon  j\[r.  Polk  of 
giving  the  notice;  many  mend)ers  Avho  voted  for  it 
were  resolutely  dcterniine^l  to  enforce  our  claim 
to  every  foot  of  territory  to  which  we  were  enti- 
tled. They  gave  a  reluctant  vt)te  for  the  resoln- 
tions,  hecause  there  was  no  ])rol)al)ility  that  the 
Senate  would  abandon  the  })osition  which  they  had 
assumed.  They  also  had  a  perfect  reliance  in  the 
firmness  and  decision  of  the  Executive.  And  Re- 
lieving that  the  termination  of  the  joint  occupancy 


*  "  Willi  u  viow,  therefore,  that  steps  bo  taken  for  the  jibrnrration  of 
the  said  convpiilion  of  the  (itli  of  August,  1S:27,  in  tlio  nioilo  prescrilii'd 
in  its  second  article,  and  tliat  the  attention  of  the  Governments  of  both 
countries  may  bo  the  more  earnestly  directed  to  tlie  adoption  of  all  proper 
measuros  for  a  sipoody  und  aniicalile  adjustment  of  the  difTcrencos  and 
disputes  in  rci^iird  to  the  said  territory — 

"  /'c.vo/ro/.  by  tlie  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  Contjross  assenibleil.  That  the  J'^-sident  of  the 
United  States  be,  and  lie  is  hereby,  authorized,  al  liis  discretion,  to  jrivo 
to  the  (lovernnient  of  Great  ISritain  the  notice  rc(|nircd  by  the  .second 
article  of  the  said  convention  of  the  Gth  of  AiijriiKt,  lS:i7,  for  the  abro- 
gation of  the  same. 

«C.  J.  INGERSOLL, 
"ROr.i:UT  I)Ar,H  OWEN, 
"HENRY  W.  HII.LVARI), 
"  Committee  upon  the  part  of  the  House. 

«  JOHN  McI'HERSON  IlERRIEN, 
"THOMAS  CORWIN, 
"VVH.LIAM  H.  HAYWOOD,  Jr., 

"  Committee  upon  the  part  of  tlie  Senate." 

Congressional  Olohe,  1st  Session  2dlh  Congress,  p.  720. 


^  ■ 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


49 


of  tliiit  territory  was  the"  only  means  of  settling  the 
qustion,  they  sanctioned  the  resolutions. 

The  notice  which  Congress  had  authorize'  ^he 
President  to  give  the  English  (loverninent  for  the 
terniiiuition  of  the  joint  occujKition  of  Oregon  was 
coniniunicated  soon  after  through  the  Anierlcun 
Minister  at  London.*  This  was  followed  by  an 
oft'er  ujxjii  the  i)art  of  Mr.  Packenhani,  to  settle 
the  (question  upon  the  hasis  of  the  proixwition  made 
Ly  Mr.  Polk  in  184;").  Ou  the  lotli  of  June,  1846, 
the  Executive  tiansmitted  the  proposal  to  the  Sen- 
ate, and  solicited  the  advice  of  that  body  as  to 
the  coui'se  he  should  pursue,  lie  stated  in  his  mes- 
sage that  the  o})inions  which  he  had  expressed  in 
Decendjer,  184'),  were  unchanged;  and  tliat  if  the 
Seriate  shoidd  decline,  hy  the  constitutional  majo- 


*  "  Now,  therefore,  after  a  careful  consideration  of  tlie  premises,  I, 
James  K.  Polk,  President  of  tlie  United  Wtutes,  in  the  exercise  of  the 
authority  and  discretion  vested  in  me  by  the  said  'joint  resolution  con- 
cerning tlie  Oregon  Territory,'  and  in  pursuance  of  tiie  second  article  of 
the  convention  of  the  6th  of  August,  18^7,  tliercin  mentioned,  do  iiereby, 
in  behalf  of  the  United  States,  give  notice  to  her  JIajesty,  the  Queen  of 
tiie  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Jirituin  and  Ireland,  that  at  the  end  of 
twelve  months  from  and  after  the  delivery  of  these  presents  by  the  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States  at  Lon- 
don to  her  Britannic  Majesty,  or  her  iMajosty's  Principal  Secretary  of  State 
for  Foreign  Affairs,  the  said  convention  shall  be  entirely  annulled  and 
abrogated. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  the  seal  of  thr   United 
States  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  given  under  my  hand  at  the 
[l.  s.]     City  of  Washington,  this  twenty  eighth-day  of  April,  A.  D. 
1846,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  said  States  the  sev- 
entieth. 

"  JAMES  K.  POLK. 
"  By  the  President, 

"  James  Buchanan,  Secretary  of  State." 


50 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


rity,  to  lulvise  him  to  accept  the  j)roposition,  he 
should  reject  it.  If,  on  the  contrary,  they  nhduhl, 
by  the  majority  required  to  ratify  a  treaty,  ad\ise 
him  to  accept  the  offer  of  the  British  Government, 
lie  would  do  so* 

In  this  comimmication  he  committed  Jiimself  to 
the  action  of  the  Senate,  and  it  was  well  understood 
at  \Vashingtt)n  what  atlvice  that  body  would  give 


*  "  To  llir  Snialc  of  Ihf  I'nilcd  S/alrs. 

"I  lay  licforc  tlii"  Soiiiiti'  u  pioiioriiil,  in  the  form  of  n  eoiuoiitirni,  pro- 
soiitpd  to  the  Secretary  of  State  on  the  sixth  instant,  hy  tiie  Kiivoy  E.<- 
tnuirdinary  iind  Minister  I'leiiipotentiary  of  lier  llritannic  Majesty,  fur  the 
ailjiistinent  of  tiiu  Oregon  (jiieslion,  logetiier  wilii  a  protocol  of  this  pro- 
ceeding;. I  snliniit  tliis  pro])osal  to  the  consideration  of  the  Senate,  and 
reipiest  tlieir  advice  as  to  tlio  action  wliich,  in  tiieir  judgment,  it  may  be 
projier  to  take  in  reference  to  it. 

'•  In  the  early  periods  of  the  (Jovernment,  tiie  opinion  and  advice  of 
the  Senate  were  often  taken  in  advance  upon  important  (piestions  of  our 
foreign  policy.  General  Washington  re|)eate<lly  consnited  the  Senate, 
and  asked  their  previous  advice  upon  pending  negotiations  with  foreign 
powers,  and  the  Senate  in  every  instance  responded  to  liis  call  by  giving 
their  lulvice,  to  wliich  he  always  conformed  his  action.  This  practice, 
thongli  rarely  resorted  to  in  later  times,  was,  in  my  judgment,  eminently 
wise,  and  may,  on  occasions  of  great  im|)ortance,  be  properly  revived. 
The  Senate  are  a  branch  of  the  treaty-making  power ;  and,  by  consult- 
ing them  in  advance  of  his  own  action  upon  important  measures  of  for- 
eign policy  which  may  ultimately  come  before  them  for  their  considera- 
tion, the  ['resident  secures  liarmony  of  action  between  that  body  and 
liliLiself. 

"  My  opinions  and  my  acti(m  on  the  Oregon  (pieslion  were  fully  made 
known  to  (Congress  in  my  annual  message  of  the  2d  of  December  last, 
and  the  opinions  therein  expressed  remain  unchanged.  Should  the  Sen- 
ate, by  the  constitutional  majority  required  for  the  rati/ication  of  treaties, 
advise  the  acceptance  of  this  proposition,  or  advi.se  it  with  such  modiiica- 
tioiis  as  they  may,  upon  full  dehberiition,  deem  proper,  I  shall  conform 
my  action  to  their  advice.  Should  the  Senate,  however,  decline  by  such 
con.stitutional  majority  to  give  such  advice,  or  to  express  an  opinion  on 
the  sidiject,  I  shall  consider  it  my  duty  to  reject  the  offer." — !\In<s<ri^c  (if 
Mr.  I'oLK  lu  Ihu  Suimh'yJuii'-  IO//1,  1846. 


I'OMv      AUMINIHTIIATION. 


51 


liini.  To  reject  tin;  j»rop«».sHl  of  tlu;  Knf,'lish  Gov- 
eriuneiit  would  liiivt;  hi-du^^lit  him  into  coliisiou 
"with  a  large  majority  of  the  Senate.  'J'ht;  nerves 
which  hutl  J'(.'inaiiie(l  unmoved  durinjj;  many  polit- 
ical stru^'^des,  and  the  Hi-nmeM-t  which  had  often 
overcomes  the  most  fiery  opposition,  where  the 
cheeks  of  the  resolute  and  hold  l>laii<  ned  with  ter- 
ror, were  shaken  at  tin;  prospect  of  a  rupture  with 
(freat  Hritaiu  unsanctioned  hy  one  bi-anch  of  the 
lenislative  power. 

Upon  tilt!  receipt  of  tin^  K.vecutive  message, 
Mv.  Allen  moved  that  it  Ix;  I'eferi'eil  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Foi'cign  Relations,  of  which  lie  was  chair- 
man. This  ju'oposition  vva-s  rej(!cted  l»y  the  deci- 
sive vote  of  ;J7  t<»  i>.  A  i-esol'ition  was  then  intro- 
duce<l  advising  the  fresideit  to  accept  tin;  pro- 
posal of  the  iiritish  (lovernnient.  Mr.  Niles  moved 
to  amend  that  jjroposition*  hy  proAnding  that  the 
riirht  to  uaviirate  the  (.'oluiid)ia  Uiver  l>y  the  Ilud- 
soil  Hay  Company,  and  all  Jiritish  subjects  trading 
with  tliem,  he  limited  to  the  year  ISO.''..  This 
ameiidnieiit  was  i-ejectcfl  by  a  vote  of  31  to  10,  and 
the  resolution  as  originally  introduced  was  passed 
by  a  vote  of  .'>H  to  I'J.f  Two  more  than  the  re- 
quisite numb(!r  <»f  votes  were  given  in  favor  of  the 

*  "  y^'WivJ, 'I'ljiit  the  ri(.'Iit  of  nnviijJitiii}:  llio  Columbia  River,  su- 
cured  to  the  11n(1miii  Hiiy 'Joinpan)',  iiml  to  all  British  subjects  tradiiiir 
with  tlio  same,  Ik;  liriiitcil  to  iIpo  year  A.  ]).  18f)3,  wlien  it  shall  cease  ami 
dL'leiiniiie.'" — ('(mf^ri'sniniinl  (iluhr,  }sl  Srssinit  ■2'.)lh  C'ii»:;rrss,  p.  li!-^3. 

f  "  lii'solrcil.  (l\vo-thiri|<  of  the  Si'iiators  present  coiiciirririir,)  That 
the  President  of  the  (j|iit<'d  States  be.  and  he  is  herel)y,  advised  to  accept 
the  proposal  of  tl|i>  llriti^li  (iovcnitnent,  acconipanyinpr  his  message  to  iho 
Senate,  dated  lOtli  .Iinir',  IStfi,  for  n  convention  to  settle  boundaries  be- 
tween the  United  Staten  and  (jreat  Britain,  west  of  the  Rocky  or  Stony 
Mountains." — IltiJ. 


52 


Iir.STOKY     0  1"     THE 


accept<ance  by  the  President  of  t!  e  offer  made  by 
Great  Britain. 

On  the  ICth  of  June  a  mct«sage  was  received 
fi'om  the  Presidert  of  the  United  States  announcing 
the  fact,  that  a  convention  between  the  two  Gov- 
ernments for  the  settlement  of  the  Oregon  ])oun- 
daiy,  liad  Ijeen  signed  on  the  ilay  bef<^re.*     On  tlie 

*  "  Convention  betwcon  tlie  United  States  of  Anier'i'a  ind  her  M;- 
jesty.  tlic  Queen  of  the  United  'vinfrdoin  of  Great  B.itian  and  Irelrnd, 
concluded  at  Washington,  the  IStii  of  June,  184(). 

"The  United  States  of  Aine".  a  and  her  Majesty,  the  Queen  of  the 
United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  deeniing  it  to  he  desii  ihle 
for  the  future  welfare  of  both  Governments,  that  the  state  c''  doubt  and 
uncertainty  which  has  jiitherto  ])revailed  respecting  the  sovereignty  and 
government  of  the  territory  on  the  northwest  coast  of  America,  lying 
westward  of  the  Rocky  or  Stony  JNIountains,  should  Iw  finally  terminated 
by  an  amic; ' '"  uomproniise  of  the  rights  nnitually  asserted  by  the  two 
parties  over  the  said  territory,  have  respectively  named  plenipotentiaries 
to  treat  and  agree  concerning  the  terms  of  such  settlement :  that  is  to 
say,  The  President  of  the  United  Stales  oi"  America  has  on  his  part 
furnished  with  full  powers  James  Bucliuiian,  Secretary  of  State  of  the 
United  States,  and  her  ^[|^sfy,  the  Queen  of  the  United  Kingdom  of 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  has  on  her  part,  appointed  the  right  honorable 
Richard  I'ackenham,  a  member  of  her  Majesty's  most  honorable  Privy 
Council,  and  her  Majesty's  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipo- 
tentiary to  the  United  States,  who.  after  having  communicated  to  each 
otljer  their  respective  full  powers,  found  in  gooti  and  due  form,  have 
agreed  ipon  and  concluded  the  following  articles : 

"  AuT.  I.  I-'roin  the  point  on  the  forty-ninth  parallel  of  north  latitude 
where  the  bonndary  laid  down  in  existing  treaties  and  conventions  lie- 
two?n  the  United  States  and  (Jreat  Britain  terminates,  the  line  of  boun- 
dary between  the  territories  of  the  United  States  and  those  of  her  Bri- 
tannic Majesty  shall  bo  continued  westward  along  the  said  forty-ninth 
parallel  of  north  latitude  to  the  middle  of  the  channel  which  separates 
the  continent  from  Vancouver's  Island,  and  thence  southerly  through  the 
middle  of  the  said  chaimel  and  of  Fuca's  Straits  to  the  Pacific  Ocean. 
Prmidi'i!,  hnwner,  that  the  navigation  of  the  whole  of  the  said  channel 
and  straits,  south  of  the  forty-ninth  parallel  of  north  latitude,  romnin  free 
and  oj)en  to  both  parties. 

"  Art.  II.  From  the  point  at  wliich  the  forty-nu)ih  parallel  of  north 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


m 


18th  of  June,  1846,  the  Senate,  Ly  a  vote  of  41  to 
14,  advised  and  consented  to  the  ratification  of  the 
treaty.* 

latitude  simll  be  found  to  intersect  the  great  northern  branch  of  the  Co- 
lumbin  River,  the  na\igation  of  the  said  branch  shall  be  free  and  open  to 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  and  to  all  British  subjects  trading  with  tlic 
same,  to  the  point  where  the  &aid  branch  meets  the  main  stream  of  the 
Columbia,  and  thence  down  ilie  said  main  stream  to  the  ocean,  with  fri« 
access  into  and  through  the  said  river  or  rivers  ;  it  Iwing  understood  that 
all  the  usual  portages  along  the  line  thus  descrilied  shall  in  like  manner 
be  free  and  open.  In  navigating  the  said  ri\'er  or  rivers,  British  subjects, 
with  their  goods  and  produce,  shall  he.  treated  on  the  same  footing  as 
citizens  of  the  United  States ;  it  being,  however,  always  understood  that 
nothing  in  this  article  shall  be  construed  as  preventing,  or  intending  to 
prevent,  the  Government  of  the  United  States  from  making  any  regu- 
lations res|)ecting  the  navigation  of  the  said  river  or  rivers,  not  incon- 
sistent with  the  present  treaty. 

"  Art.  III.  In  the  future  appropriation  of  the  territory  south  of  the 
forty-ninth  parallel  of  north  latitude,  as  providml  in  the  frst  article  of  this 
treaty,  the  |Kssessory  rights  of  the  Ilud.-ion's  Bay  Company,  and  of  all 
British  subjects?  who  may  be  already  in  the  (X'cupalion  of  land  or  other 
property,  lawfully  acquired  within  the  said  territory,  shall  lie  respected. 

"  Akt.  IV.  The  farms,  lands,  and  other  pro[)erty  of  ivery  description, 
belonging  to  the  I'aget's  Sound  Agricultural  Company,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Columbia  River,  shall  bo  c(,ntirmed  to  the  .said  company.  In  case, 
however,  the  situation  of  those  farms  and  lands  should  be  considered  by 
the  United  States  to  lie  of  public  and  political  ini|M)r*niire,  and  the  United 
States  (jovernment  should  signify  a  desire  to  obt.  i  possession  nf  the 
whole  or  any  jiart  thereof,  the  property  so  reqiiir  ■ '.  -iliall  1)0  transfi<rred  to 
the  said  Government,  at  a  proper  valuation  to  Im.  agreed  upon  Itetwecn  the 
parties. 

"  Akt.  V.  The  present  treaty  shall  Iw  ratified  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  the  Senate  thereof,  and  by  her 
BriLinnic  Majesty,  ami  the  rafilications  shall  l)e  exchanged  at  I/aidon  at 
the  expiration  of  si.x  months  from  the  date  hereof,  or  sooner  il  |K)ssible. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  respective  plenipotentiaries  have  signed  tlie 
Bame,  and  have  allixed  thereto  the  seals  of  their  arms. 

Done  at  Washington  the  fifteenth  day  of  Juee,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  eight  iiundrod  and  forlv-six. 

[I,,  s.)  "JAMES  BUCHANAN. 

[I,,  s.)  "RICHARD  I'ACKKMIAM." 

♦  Those  who  voted  in  the  atlirmative  wcro  Messrs.  Archer,  Ashley, 


% 


JASPER  ].iji;i:Aii^, 

Or:,. 111!  Mairli  l.ir.:ip. 


11  V 


f«i    Avr.  •»^-'  frr 


T     / 


m 


HISTORY     OF     THK 


Bajby,  Barrow,  Benton,  Berrien,  Calhoun,  Clialiiieri',  'J'iwmit  (*:lrtyfrtn> 
John  M.  Chiyton,  Colquitt,  Corwin,  Crittenden,  Daui^.  Jjiiylvd- |))<y,  jf^anff. 
Green,  Haywood,  Houston,  Huntington,  Johnson  of  MaryijuH',,  .frshiiHOlV 
of  Louisiana,  Lewis,  McDuftie,  Mangum,  Miller,  Moon)li.(m),{Mi(».^,«(tt*(«^, 
Penybacker,  Phelps,  Rusk,  Sevier,  Siinmous,  Speiglrt,  'il'tMHoy,-  (';|)hBmv 
Webster,  VVoodbridge,  and  Yulee. 

Those  who  voted  in  the  negative  were  Messrii.  ^\Uw.-  ^hiKon, 
Atherton,  Brceso,  Bright,  Cameron,  Cass,  Dickenson,  Fak<wltl^(littrt»»gan, 
Jenness,  Semple,  Sturgeon,  and  Westcott. 


\  <  « 


<,  '<>  V' 


V. 


ft 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


55 


CHAITER  III. 


Difleront  races  in  MfK'u;i),—ThK  informntion  is  received  tiiere  that  Joseph 
Bonoparl'-  wan  |yla/;<fij  nfum  ihi:  throne  of  Spniii. — Couri'e  pursued  by  the 
Mi-xifOMH. —  kupiurt  Iwiwecfi  the  Natives  nnd  Europentis. — Insurrection 
headed  by  ilid..|/u — l'\aii  ii(  (giialo — fturbidc  proclaimed  Kmperor. — He 
is  i)aiiiBlicd,  and  on  tiu  rrtiirii  lo  Mexico,  is  siiot. — Rcv"lution8. — Santa 
Anna  elected  PreMdrnl. — T«-x(i)i  Revolution. 

The  war  with  ^U-x'uu>  nccnpied  .eh  of  the  atten- 
tion of  the  a<lniijii>«tratir»n,  Mr.  Polk  had  no  sooner 
taktMi  the  oath  of  ofli*'*-,  than  he  found  our  relations 
Avitli  that  coiiiitry  were  extremely  delicate.  No 
efforts  which  lie  eould  make,  appeared  to  apprase 
the  ISfexicans,  or  to  induce  them  to  act  in  good  taith 
towards  us. 

It  is  now  my  jmrynme  to  trace  the  events  which 
preceded  the  commencement  of  hostilities  upon  the 
Rio  (Jramh',  and  to  follow  fmr  victorious  troops 
through  theii-  triumphant  progress,  until  the  capital 
of  ^Mexico  surrendered  to  their  prowess  and  valor. 

Befoiv;  examining  into  the  immediate  cnuses  of 
tlu!  war  with  .Mexico,  I  will  briefly  refer  to  the 
pi'ominent  revohitioiis  which  occurred  in  that  coun- 
try ju'eviiMJs  to  that  event.  Tlie  contest  was  waged 
with  a  so  called  republic;  yet  Mexico  hardly  de- 
serves the  name.  Since  the  struggle  terminated, 
which  produced  a  separation  from  Spain,  Mexico 
has  Im'cii  <he  theatre  <;f  an:irchy  and  blood.     Revo- 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


lution  and  violence  have  succeeded  each  otlicr  in 
rai)id  succession.  The  existence  of  each  govern- 
ment has  seldom  lasted  longer  than  two  yeai-s,  and 
instability  and  misrule  have  always  controlled  the 
fortunes  of  the  Mexicans.  This  result,  so  fatal  to 
law  and  ordei',  has  undoubtedly  been  produced  by 
the  peculiar  m,  ital  organization  of  that  peoj)le,  and 
the  anuilii'ani.ition  of  the  ditfei'ent  races,  which  are 

~  7 

founl  within  the  borders  of  Mexico. 

The  peo2)le  are  divided  into  seven  great  classes : 
1st,  the  Europeans  ;  2d,  the  Ci'eoles  or  whites,  of 
pure  European  blood,  l»ut  born  in  Ame'.'ica ;  'M\  the 
Indians ;  4th,  the  mestizos,  or  mixed  l)reeds  of 
whites  and  Indians ;  fjth,  the  mulattoes,  or  descend- 
ants of  whites  and  negroes  ;  (ith,  the  negroes  ;  and 
ith,  the  descendants  of  negroes  and  Indians.  The 
pure  Indians,  in  lb03,  exceeded  two  millions  and  a 
half,  and  at  the  time  of  tlie  revolution  there  were 
only  eighty  tli'iusand  l'.iiroi)eans.  Among  sucli  a 
motley  collection,  ])erhaps  it  would  be  too  much  to 
anticipate  the  prevalence  of  repul)licanism. 

The  first  manifestati(»n  of  excessive  zeal  exhi- 
bited by  the  Mexicans  in  the  att'airs  of  the  mother 
country,  wa-s  upon  the  rece])tion  of  the  news  that 
the  S])anish  Bourbons  had  been  dethroned,  and  the 
crown  usurped  by  a  Hona])arte. 

In  July,  1808,  a  determination  was  manifested 
throughout  Spanish  America,  to  -sustain  the  cause 
of  the  dethrtjned  princes.  Ituirigaray,  the  viceroy, 
proclaimed  tlie  estaltlishmcnt  f\'  the  Spanish  Junta, 
and  required  the  ayuntamient(»  to  yiehl  obedience 
to  its  orders.     Although  they  were  true  to  Fordi- 


POLK     AD  MINIST  RATION.  57 

Hand,  still  they  refused  obedience  to  the  jiuito,  and 
jn'oposed  the  creation  of  a  siiuilar  liody  in  ^Mexico, 
and  Iturrigaray  was  inclined  to  yield  to  their  wishes. 
Probably  this  determination  Avas  manifested  upon 
th(!  [)art  of  the  avnutttiniento,  because  a  majority 
of  tlieni  were  natives  of  the  soil;  and  thei'e  was 
exhibited  a  jealousy  of  the  mother  country.  The 
audiencia  Avas  composed  of  the  civil  and  military 
officere  sent  out  from  Sj)ain ;  there  Avas  a  natural 
anti[)athy,  then,  between  this  liody  and  the  natives 
of  Mexico.  Findim;  the  remonstrances  inert'ectual, 
Avliich  they  urged  against  the  course  of  the  ayunta- 
niiento,  the  audiencia  seized  the  ])erson  of  Iturri- 
garay, and  confined  him  in  the  palace.  This  act  of 
violence  rendered  the  i'U])ture  complete  betwci'U 
the  Eur()j)eans  and  the  natives  of  the  soil ;  and  from 
that  time  commenced  those  dissensions  which  termi- 
nated in  tearing  from  the  crown  of  S})ain  its  bright- 
est jewel.  For  the  time,  however,  the  audiencia 
triumplu'd  and  overcame  all  ojiposition  to  the  cen- 
tral junto.  About  'his  time,  Don  Francisco  Xavier 
Vanegas  wiis  a])i)o'attMl  to  the  viceroyalty  of  iNfex- 
ico.  This  a))poinlment  jn'oved  most  mifortunate  for 
the  interest  of  Sj)a'n  in  the  new  world.  Passion- 
ate, headstrong  and  violent,  lie  was  totally  unfitted 
for  a  position  of  so  much  imjtortance,  and  hasten^^l 
the  crisis,  which  even  the  most  prudent  couhl  not 
long  delay.  At  this  moment  there  a])i)eared  )ij)on 
the  stage,  a  man  whose  genius  and  ])atriotism  at 
once  aroused  the  slum>)ering  energies  of  the  ^U'x'i- 
cans,  and  gave  an  impetus  to  the  revolutionary  s|)i- 
rit,  which  soon  involved  tlu;  whole  country  in  the 
turmoils  antl  violence  of  an  insurrection. 


68 


n  I S  T  O  K  Y     OF     THE 


Tliat  man  was  Don  Miguel  Hidalgo  Y  Costilla. 
ITo  was  the  cnra  or  priest  of  Dolores.  Pic  was 
tliouglitt'ul  and  inquiring,  possessing  undoubted  abi- 
lity, and  Avliatever  acts  of  barbarity  he  may  have 
coiiunitted  in  his  suljsequent  career,  he  was  never- 
theless a  man  of  kindly  and  generous  impulses. 
Ilis  attention  had  been  turned  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. He  liad  introduced  the  silk-worm,  and  had 
planted  around  his  habitation  the  vine.  These  Avere 
destroyed,  and  this  act  of  injustice  aroused  his  re- 
sentment. The  l)arbarities  which  he  daily  saw  in- 
flicted upon  his  countrymen,  were  now  illustrated  in 
his  own  case.  By  his  eloquence  and  fiery  ardoi-,  he 
aroused  the  indignation  of  his  neighbors,  who  flocked 
to  his  standard,  and  he  soon  found  himself  at  the 
head  of  fifty  tliousand  raw  and  undisciplined  troops. 
Several  battles  were  lost  and  won ;  victory  alter- 
nately crowned  the  efforts  of  tlie  Spaniards  and 
Mexicans,  until  July,  1811,  when  Jlidalgo  was  taken 
prisoner  and  shot.  With  his  death  almost  ex]iired 
the  hopes  of  the  patriots.  It  is  true,  in  difterent 
parts  of  the  country  the  contest  was  continued  by 
broken  divisions  of  the  Mexican  army,  with  varied 
success,  until  tlie  Congress  was  forcibly  dissolved  by 
the  Mexican  (Jeneral  Teran.  This  resulted  in  the 
oAcrthrow,  in  quick  succession,  of  Victoria,  Bravo^ 
Hay  an,  Guerrero,  and  Teran. 

These  disasters  Avere,  to  a  certain  extent,  com- 
pensated by  the  introduction  into  Mexico  of  the 
Spanish  constituticm,  in  1812.  This  cA-ent  for  a 
while  gave  satisfaction  to  the  Mexicans,  but  the 
genu  of  Independence  Avhich  began  to  bud  during 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


59 


the  first  insurrection  gradually  expanded  into  full 
bloom,  and  on  the  24th  of  February,  1821,  Iturhide, 
then  in  the  service  of  Spain,  assembled  the  chief 
officers  of  his  army  at  Iguala,  and  presented  them 
a  set  of  propositions  for  the  institution  of  a  national 
government,  which  are  termed  in  the  history  of 
that  country,  "the  plan  of  Iguala,"  It  proposed 
that  Mexico  should  form  an  independent  empii'e, 
the  th.one  being  offered  to  the  king  of  Spain,  and 
in  the  event  of  his  refusal,  to  the  other  princes  of 
his  family,  in  succession.* 

The  inde])endence  of  Mexico  dates  from  this 
movement.  Not  satisfied  with  the  establishment  of 
a  re])ublican  form  of  government,  Iturbide  usurped 
the  supreme  authority.  In  1824  he  was  proclaimed 
Emperor.  A  revolution  which  rpiickly  succeeded, 
expelled  him  from  power,  and  he  was  banished  from 
the  land.  Returning,  howevei',  against  his  express 
stipulations,  he  was  arrested  in  July,  1824,  and  im- 
mediately shot.f 

*  1.  "That  IMcxico  sliould  form  an  independent  empire,  the  crown  of 
which  shouli  bo  offered  to  tiie  king  of  Spain,  and  in  the  event  of  iiis  re- 
fnsal,  to  tlio  Jther  princes  of  liis  family  in  succession,  on  condition  that 
the  person  a  ^ccptinp;  should  reside  in  the  country,  and  should  swear  to 
observe  a  cf  nstitution  to  be  fixed  by  a  congress. 

2.  "  That  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  should  be  supported,  and  the 
rights,  immunities,  and  property  of  its  clergy  should  be  preserved  and 
secured. 

3.  "  That  oil  the  actual  inhabitants  of  Mexico,  whatever  might  be 
their  birth-place  or  descent,  should  enjoy  the  same  civil  rights." 

STATEMENT  OF  ITURBIDE. 

t  "  The  epoch  in  which  I  have  lived  has  been  o  critical  one ;  equally 
critical  is  the  moment  nt  which  I  am  about  to  submit  to  the  world  a  sketch 
of  my  political  career.    The  public  are  not  uninformed  of  my  name,  or 


e& 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Snljsequently  to  tliat  event,  and  previous  to  the 
year  18:28,  one  revulution  succeeded  anutlier  in 
quick  succession.     Violence,  misrule  and  mob  law 


*. 


of  my  notions  ;  bnt  they  have  known  botli  throngh  a  mediinn  jrrpntly  dis- 
colored by  the  interests  of  those  porsoiis  who  )mvo  transmitted  them  to 
distant  countries.  Tliere  is  one  jfroat  nation  purticulurly,  in  wliich  seve- 
ral individuals  liavo  disapproved  of  my  conduct,  and  liave  misrepresented 
my  ciiaractcr.  It  becomes  my  duty,  therefore,  to  relate  my  own  history. 
I  shall  tell,  with  the  frankness  of  a  soldier,  both  what  I  have  been  and 
what  1  am.  My  actions  and  their  motives  may  thus  be  fairly  judged  by 
every  im|iartial  person  of  the  |)re8ent  age,  still  more  by  posterity.  I  know 
no  other  passion  or  interest  save  that  of  transmitting  to  my  children  a 
name  which  they  need  not  be  ashamed  to  bear. 

"  It  would  be  an  idle  waste  of  time  to  set  about  refuting  the  various 
attacks  which  have  been  circulated  against  me ;  they  are  framed  in  terms 
calculated  only  to  reflect  dishonor  upon  their  authors. 

"  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  break  the  chains  which  enthralled  my 
country  :  I  proclaimed  her  independence  ;  I  yielded  to  the  voice  of  a  grate- 
ful and  a  generous  people,  and  allowed  myself  to  be  seated  on  a  throne 
which  I  had  created,  and  had  destined  for  others :  I  repressed  the  spirit  of 
intrigue  and  disorder.  These  are  my  crimes ;  notwithstanding  which  I 
now  appear,  and  shall  continue  to  appear,  with  as  sincere  a  countenance 
before  the  Spaniards  and  their  king,  as  I  have  worn  liefore  the  Mexicans 
and  their  new  rulers.  To  both  countries  I  have  rendered  imjiortant  servi- 
ces, though  neither  knew  how  to  profit  by  the  advantages  which  I  acquired 
for  them. 

"  In  the  year  1810, 1  was  simply  a  subaltern  officer;  a  lieutenant  in 
the  provincial  regiment  of  Valladolid,  my  native  city.  It  is  well  known, 
that  the  individuals  who  serve  in  those  troops  receive  no  pay.  The  mili- 
tary profession  was  not  the  principal  object  of  my  pursuit.  I  possessed  an 
independence,  and  attended  to  tlie  improvement  of  my  pro[)erty,  without 
di.=turbing  my  mind  with  the  desire  of  obtaining  public  employments.  I 
did  not  stand  in  need  of  them,  either  for  the  purpose  of  affording  me  n 
subsistence,  or  of  adding  distinction  to  my  name,  as  it  pleased  Providence 
to  give  me  an  honorable  origin,  which  my  forefathers  have  never  stained, 
and  which  down  to  my  time  all  my  kin^mt:;  have  supported  by  their 
conduct. 

"  When  the  revolution,  set  on  foot  by  Don  Miguel  Hidalgo,  curate  of 
Dolores,  broke  out,  ho  offered  me  the  rank  of  lieutenant-general.  The 
offer  was  one  that  might  have  tempted  any  young  man  without  experience, 
and  at  an  age  when  his  ambition  might  be  excited,     I  declined  it,  howev- 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


61 


prevailed  tlirougliout  the  land.  In  1828,  Santa 
Anna,  who  was  then  Governor  of  Vera  Cruz,  uisti- 
gated  a  revolt  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  and  Avas,  by 


er,  because  I  wns  pntisfiod  that  the  plans  of  the  curate  were  ill  contrived, 
and  that  they  would  prtHJiice  only  disorder,  massacre,  and  devastation, 
without  accomplishing  the  object  which  he  had  in  view.  The  result 
demonstrated  the  truth  of  my  predictions.  Hidalgo,  and  those  who  fol- 
lowed his  example,  desolated  the  country,  destroyed  private  property,  deep- 
ened the  hatred  txjtween  the  Americans  and  fjuropeans,  sacrificed  thou- 
sands of  victims,  obstructed  the  fountains  of  public  wealth,  disorganized 
the  army,  annihilated  industry,  rendered  tiie  condition  of  the  Americans 
worse  than  it  was  before,  by  exciting  the  Spaniards  to  a  sense  of  the  dan- 
gers which  threatened  them  ;  they  moreover  corrupted  the  manners  of  the 
people,  and  far  from  obtaining  independence,  increased  the  obstacles  which 
were  opposed  to  it. 

"  If,  therefore,  I  took  up  arms  at  that  epoch,  it  was  not  to  make  war 
against  the  Americans,  but  against  a  lawless  band  who  harassed  the  coun- 
try. The  .Mexican  Congress,  at  a  later  period,  proposed  that  statues 
should  be  erected  to  the  leaders  of  that  insurrection,  and  that  funeral 
honors  should  be  paid  to  the  ashes  of  those  who  perished  in  it.  I  have 
warred  with  those  chiefs,  and  I  should  war  with  them  again  under  similar 
circumstances.  The  word  insurrection  in  that  instance  did  not  mean  in- 
dependence and  equal  liberty  ;  its  object  was,  not  to  reclaim  the  rights  of 
the  nation,  hnt  to  exterminate  all  the  Europeans,  to  destroy  their  |)osses- 
sions,  and  to  trample  on  the  laws  of  war,  humanity,  and  religion.  The 
belligerent  parties  gave  no  quarter:  disorder  presided  over  the  operations 
on  both  sides,  though  it  must  be  acknowledged,  that  one  party  are  censu- 
rable, not  only  for  the  evils  which  they  caused,  but  also  for  having  pro- 
voked the  other  party  to  retaliate  the  atrocities  which  were  perpetrated 
by  their  enemies. 

"  About  the  month  of  October,  in  the  year  1810, 1  was  offered  a  safe 
conduct  for  my  father  and  family,  together  with  assurances  that  his  pro- 
perty and  mine  should  he  exempted  from  conflagration  and  plund(T,  and 
that  the  people  attached  to  them  should  not  be  subject  to  assassination 
(which  was  at  that  tiuie  a  matter  of  ordinary  occurrence),  on  the  sole 
condition  that  I  should  quit  the  stnndard  of  the  king  and  remain  neutral. 
These  propositions  were  made  to  me  by  the  leaders  of  that  disastrous  in- 
surrection, and  are  well  known  to  the  Mexicans.  I  was  then  at  San 
Felipe  del  Obraje,  commanding  a  small  detachment  of  infantry,  and  at  a 
distance  of  four  leagues  from  me  was  Hidalgo  with  a  considerable  force. 
I  gave  the  same  answers  to  these  overtures,  as  to  the  propositions  already 


iS 

X 


M 


m 


II I  S  T  O  K  V     O  F     T  11  i: 


tilt'  Cdiigresis  of  tlic  Kcpultlif,  id'ocliiiiiR'd  an  out- 
law. Kvoii  at  tliat  t-aily  pt'iiotl  in  his  caicor,  he 
was  remai'kal)lt'  for  his  \vily  and  subtle  policy,  and 


mentioned.  I  nlwiiys  looked  upon  that  man  as  criminal,  who,  in  a  reason 
of  political  coiivtd.-iions,  slielleriii!.'  Iiiiiisi'lf  in  cowardly  indolence,  re- 
mained a  colli  spectalor  of  the  evils  wliicli  op;iressed  his  conntry.  and 
made  no  ett'ort  to  ndlijjate,  at  least,  if  iio  conid  not  roniovo,  the  suH'erin^'s 
of  his  fellow-citizens.  I  therefore  kept  the  field,  with  a  view  eip  lly  to 
BCrve  the  kinir.  the  Spaniards,  aiid  the  Mexicans. 

"  I  was  in  con.sc(|iience  etifiaired  in  several  expeditions,  and  had  the 
poo<i  foitniio  to  ^;ee  victory  never  desert  the  troops  inider  my  command, 
except  on  one  inconsider.ihh-  occasion  (in  1815),  when  1  made  an  attack 
on  Coporo,  a  military  point  which  was  well  fortilied,  and  inacccssihle  from 
the  natnro  of  the  irround.  I  then  served  imder  the  orders  of  IJaiuw,  n 
Spanish  General.  lie  commanded  me  to  attack  the  place;  delicacy  for- 
bade me  to  oll'er  any  oppot^ition  to  his  mandate,  thon^rli  I  was  fully  con- 
vinced that  the  result  could  not  he  favorable.  A.s  soon  as  I  was  on  the 
march,  I  commnnieated  my  opinion  to  tlie  general  by  dispatch:  I  retreat- 
ed, as  I  had  foreseen  I  should  do,  but  I  had  the  [rood  fortune  to  jireserve 
four-fifths  of  my  force,  in  an  action  in  which  I  apprehended  that  1  should 
liave  lost  the  whole. 

"  I  cnirajred  with  the  enemy  as  often  as  ho  oflered  battle,  or  as  I  came 
near  him,  frequently  with  inferior  numbers  on  my  part.  I  led  the  sieijes 
of  several  fortilied  places,  from  which  1  dislodged  the  enemy,  and  I  ren- 
dered them  incapable  of  servinij  afterwards  n.s  asylmns  for  the  discon- 
tented. I  had  n)  other  opponents  than  those  of  the  cause  which  I  delend- 
cd,  nor  any  other  rivals  than  those  who  were  envious  of  my  success. 

"In  181()  the  provinces  of  Guanajuato  and  Valladolid.  and  the  army 
of  the  north,  were  under  my  command  ;  hut  I  rcsigtied  my  ollice  throcjjh 
a  sense  of  delicacv,  and  retired  to  |)iirsue  my  natural  disposition,  in  the 
cnltivation  of  my  estates.  The  reason  of  my  resijrnaiion  was  this:  two 
inhabitants  of  Querataro,  who  were  snh.seqiiently  assisted  by  fonr  or  live 
families  in  Guanajuato,  three  of  which  consisted  of  the  families  of  three 
brothers,  and  onifht  therefore  to  be  considered  as  one,  sent  n  memorial 
ajraiitst  me  to  the  viceroy.  Many  were  the  critnes  of  which  they  accused 
me;  thev  could  not,  however,  (iiid  one  witness  to  support  their  charjfes, 
thoiiirli  I  had  resinned  for  the  purpose  of  re.y.n'ing  every  obstacle  to 
their  cominfr  forward,  by  takiufr  away  the  motives  of  hope  on  the  one 
side,  or  of  fear  on  the  other.  The  families  of  the  coimtess  dowajjer  of 
Rul.  and  of  Alamnn,  pave  proof,  by  abandoning  the  accusation,  that  they 
had  been  taken  by  surprise,  and  that  they  had  been  deceived.     Tlie  vice- 


1'  ()  I,  K     A  D  M  I  N  I  S  T  U  A  'J"  I  0  X  , 


68 


sustained   I)y  the  giilliiut  iind  cvcr-faitlifiil  t-itizeiw 
of  tlio  province  of  Vera  Cruz,  he  made  a  hold  stand 

Alternately 


against  the  authorities  of  the  country 


roys,  Callejn  nnd  Apodnra,  took  cognizaiiro  of  tlic  iimttor,  and  aftrr  licar- 
insj  tlio  report.s  of  tlm  avniitaiiiiciitos.  tlio  curates,  the  political  ('hicfs,  the 
commandants  and  military  cliiern,  and  of  all  the  most  rcspoctablo  pcr.-ons 
in  the  two  provinros,  aii<l  tlio  army  (who  not  only  madu  my  cause  tlioir 
own,  hut  jravp  mo  tokonrt  of  their  iiM(iualitied  approbation),  they  aflirmod 
the  (lictamen  of  tlieir  auditor,  and  of  the  two  civil  mitiisters,dcclariuir  that 
the  accusation  was  false  and  calumnious  in  all  its  parts,  that  i  had  per- 
mission to  institute  an  action  of  daniaijes  against  the  slanderers,  and  that 
I  might  return  to  discharge  tho  functions  of  tho  otRco  which  I  had  re- 
signed. I  did  not  choose  to  resume  the  (t)nunand,  nor  to  exercise  my 
right  of  action,  and  I  gave  up  the  pay  which  I  enjoyed, 

"The  ingraliluile  which  I  ex|)<'rienced  from  men  had  wounded  my 
feelings  deeply  ;  their  insincerity,  to  call  it  by  no  severer  name,  made  me 
Blum  every  opportunity  of  again  U'coining  the  object  of  their  attacks. 
Besides,  the  auger  of  the  contending  parties  having  e.\|wnded  itself,  and 
the  country  having  returned  to  a  state  of  mmparative  trarnpiiilily.  I  was 
relieved  t'rom  that  sense  of  obligation  wliich  si.\  years  before  liml  com- 
pelled me  to  ha  ,'e  recourse  to  arms.  My  country  no  longer  sIockI  in  need 
of  my  services,  and  without  betraying  my  duty.  I  thought  that  I  might 
now  rest  from  the  toils  of  tho  camp. 

'•  In  IS-JO  the  constitution  was  re-established  in  Spain.  Tho  new  order 
of  tliiiiL's,  the  ferment  in  which  the  l'eiiinsid;i  was  placed,  tho  machina- 
tions of  till'  discontented,  the  want  of  moileralion  amongst  tho  supporters 
of  the  new  system,  the  vacillation  of  the  authorities,  and  tho  conduct  of 
the  (iovernment  and  Cortes  at  .Afadrid  (who,  from  the  decrees  whiili  they 
issued,  and  the  speeches  which  some  of  tho  deputies  pronouiu'.eil,  ap- 
peap'il  to  have  determined  on  alienating  the  colonies),  tilled  the  heart  of 
every  good  patriot  with  tho  desire  of  independence,  and  o.xcited  amongst 
tho  Spaniards  established  in  the  country,  tho  apprehension  that  all  the  hor- 
rors of  the  former  insurrection  were  alHuit  to  bo  repeated.  Those  who 
exorcised  tho  chief  authority,  and  had  tho  forces  at  their  command,  took 
au(^  precautions  as  fear  naturally  dictated  ;  and  those  |)ersons  who  at  the 
former  epo(di  had  Tved  by  disorder,  made  |ireparaliiMis  for  again  tnrning  it 
to  advantage.  In  such  a  state  of  things  the  richest  and  most  bcantifid 
part  of  .America  was  about  to  hoconic  again  the  prey  of  contending  fac- 
tions. In  every  qiiar'er  clandestine  meetings  took  place,  for  tho  pur()oso 
of  di.-cus-ing  tho  form  of  govormnent  which  ought  to  ho  adopted.  .Among 
the  Europeans  and  their  adherents,  some  wislied  lor  the  establishment  of 


4 


r-1 


04 


III8TOUV      0  1"     TIIK 


succosstfiil,  and  a  rt'fn<^i'(',  lie  iimna^'cd  for  several 

years  to  ci'eate  revolutions  and  counter-revolutions. 

To    re])ressj   the    demonstrations    under    Santa 


thn  Rpnnisli  cotiHtitiition.  Thoy  microndod  in  ronliziii;;  their  vinwH  to  n 
certain  extent,  iiut  the  syntuni  was  hadly  ini(l('r«t(Kxl,nn(l  the  loose  maimer 
in  wliicli  it  was  olx'yeil,  indicatLMl  tin"  hhorliiess  of  its  duration.  'J'lioro 
were  some  wlio  conceived  tliat  it  on^^lit  to  undorgo  inodiliciitlons,  inas- 
much as  tlie  constitution  framed  iiy  tiio  Cortes  nt  Cadiz  was  inapplicnhle 
to  '  New  Spain.'  Otiiers  there  were  who  sifrhod  after  the  old  nhsoluto 
government,  as  the  lie.^t  support  of  Iheir  lucrative  eniploymcnls,  which 
tliey  exercised  in  a  despotic  manner,  and  hy  which  they  had  piined  a 
mono|K)ly.  The  privile;ri>(|  and  powerlul  classes  fomented  these  ditTerent 
parties,  attachin^j  tliemselveitto  the  one  or  the  other,  iiccordinff  to  t)io  ex- 
tent of  their  political  information,  or  the  projects  of  ajrgrandizement  wliicli 
their  imaginations  presented.  The  Americans  wished  for  indepc:idence, 
but  lliey  were  not  ntrreed  as  to  the  mode  of  ell'ectini;  it,  still  less  ns  to  the 
form  of  tiovernment  which  they  should  prefer.  With  resjicct  to  the  for- 
mer (iliject,  many  were  of  o|)inion  that  in  the  lir.«t  place,  ull  the  Europeans 
should  1m!  e.vtorminated,  and  their  property  jrivon  up  to  confiscation.  The 
less  sanguinary  woidd  have  l)een  contented  with  banishing  them  from  the 
country,  thus  reducing  tliousands  of  families  to  a  state  of  orphanage. 
The  moderate  party  suggested  only  that  they  should  Im;  excluded  from  all 
pid)lic  olVices.  and  degraded  to  the  condition  in  which  they  had  kept  the 
natives  of  the  country  for  three  centuries.  As  to  the  form  of  govern- 
ment, one  piirty  proposed  a  monarchy,  tcm|)cred  by  the  Spanish,  or  some 
other  constitution  ;  ii  second  party  wished  for  a  federative  republic  ;  a 
third  for  a  cenlral  republic;  and  the  partisans  of  each  system,  full  of 
enthusiasm,  were  impatient  for  the  accomplishment  of  their  diiVerent 
objects. 

"  I  had  friends  in  the  principal  towns,  many  of  whom  had  been  long 
connected  with  my  family ;  others  I  had  known  in  my  expeditions,  and 
during  the  period  when  I  held  my  command.  The  army,  I  had  reason  to 
believe,  was  strongly  attached  to  me.  All  those  who  knew  me  did  their 
utiuost  to  supply  nie  with  information.  I  had  visited  the  best  provinces, 
obtained  accurate  infonnation  as  to  the  nature  of  the  country  and  the 
character  of  the  inhabitiints,  the  points  capable  of  l)eing  fortified,  and  the 
resources  upon  which  dependence  might  be  placed.  I  saw  new  revolu- 
tions on  the  eve  of  breaking  out ;  my  country  was  about  to  bo  drenched 
in  blood  ;  I  was  led  to  believe  that  I  had  the  power  to  save  iicr,  and  1  did 
not  hesitate  to  undertake  so  sacred  a  duty. 

*'  I  formed  my  plan,  known  under  the  title  of  *  the  plan  of  Iguala.' 


POLK     A DMINISTKATION. 


05 


Anna,  liustaiiicTitc,  tlicii  President  <»f  Mexico,  (lis- 
Jditelied  (Jeiieml  ('iiKl(;r<)li  with  an  etl'eetive  force, 
who  deleated  Suntu  Anna  on  tlio  3d  of  March  at 

parnplilot,  wliicli  I  Imvo  hcm),  Iioh  oBHrrtcd  tlmt  tlmt  projort  wna  tho  work 
of  II  rliil)  of  HurvilcH,  wlii»  liiilil  tlicir  iiic'i'liiij;  nt  the  jirofrsti,  a  huililing 
l)uli)iic;iii}{  to  tli('(:<iiii;rc|riiti()ii  iif  Hi.  I'liilip,  ill  Mexico.  Any  person  wlio 
reuils  llie  tlociiiiiciil  iiiiihI  Ih;  coiiviiiccd,  from  its  contents  nioiip,  tlmt  it 
conid  not  imvo  Iwen  dicliitml  hy  Kurvilisin  ;  I  put  out  of  tho  question  the 
opinions  of  those  (icrsoiis  to  whom  It  is  nttriliiitcd,  and  shall  only  sny  tlmt 
they  lire  malturs  upon  wliii  h  the  iniillitudu  is  very  coinnionly  mistaken. 
For  me,  I  IcHik  ii|K)n  tlio^e  |H;rsoiiM  as  men  eminently  respectable  for  their 
virtues  and  their  knowledjri.'.  After  the  plan  had  been  drawn  out,  I  con- 
sulted npm  it  with  diHtiiiHiiished  iiidividimls  of  dilFercnt  jiarties  ;  not  one 
of  them  disii|)provod  of  it ;  it  was  not  miKlitied  in  any  manner ;  nothing 
was  uddetl  or  eritsed, 

'•  In  tracinjr  out  this  project,  my  aim  was  to  pivo  independence  to  my 
country,  hocaiiso  such  was  the  (reneral  desire  of  the  Americans  ;  n  desire 
founded  on  natural  feelin;.'s,  and  on  principles  of  justice.  It  was,  besides, 
the  only  means  by  which  Ihi;  interests  of  IIk;  two  nations  could  be  secured. 
Tho  Spaniards  would  nut  allow  themselves  to  bo  convinced  tlmt  their  de- 
cline bej;an  with  their  iic(|uisilion  of  the  colonies,  while  tho  colonists  were 
fully  persuaded  that  the  timo  of  their  emancipation  had  arrived. 

"  The  plan  of  I(.'ualH  (rimraiitied  the  reli(»ion  which  we  inherited  from 
onr  ancestors.  To  the  reifjniiiK  family  of  H|iain,  it  held  out  tho  only  pros- 
pect which  survived  for  proservinj;^  those  extensive  and  fertile  provinces. 
To  the  Mexicans,  it  tfranted  tho  riKht  of  enactini;  their  own  laws,  and  of 
having  their  froverninenl  ('stablisliod  within  their  own  territory.  To  tho 
Spaniards,  it  offered  an  asylum,  which,  if  they  had  possessed  any  foresight, 
they  would  not  have  despised.  It  secured  the  rights  of  equality,  of  pro- 
[lerty,  and  of  lilx;rty,  the  knowledge  of  which  is  within  the  reach  of  every 
one,  and  the  possession  of  which,  when  imce  acquired,  every  man  would 
exert  all  his  power  to  preserve.  The  plan  of  Iguala  extinguished  the 
odious  distinction  of  castes,  ofl'ered  to  every  stranger  safety,  convenience, 
and  hospitality  ;  it  left  the  nmd  to  advancement  open  to  merit ;  conciliated 
the  good  opinion  of  every  reasonable  man  ;  and  opposed  an  impenetrable 
barrier  to  the  machinations  of  the  discontented. 

"The  operation  of  putting  the  plan  into  execution  was  crowned  with 
the  happy  result  which  I  hail  anticipated.  Six  months  were  sufficient  to 
untwist  the  entangled  knot  which  had  Inmnd  tho  two  worlds.  Without 
bloodshed,  without  fire,  robliery,  deva.  'ation,  without  a  tear,  my  country 
was  free,  and  traiiHfornicd  from  a  colony  into  an  cnipire.    In  order  to  rcn- 


G6 


U  I  S  T  O  U  Y     OP     THE 


TalujiK',  and  hesieged  liiiu  ir  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz. 
F«jrtuiic,  however,  did  not   long  desert  him.      Cal- 


deron  was  forced  to  retreat. 


Uustaniente  resigned 


dor  tlip  work  r onfonnablc  to  rccoivod  customs,  only  ono  ndditional  circnni- 
itonco  was  ro(|iiired — a  treaty,  which  tho  (liploitiiitists  woidd  ndil  to  the 
lo'ig  catiiloi^iie  of  those  which  tiioy  already  possess,  mid  which  coiiiiiionly 
turn  out  til  Ijo  only  so  many  jinMifs  of  tho  had  I'ai'Ji  ol'  men,  as  tlicy  are 
not  scld.Hn  vinlatrd  when  it  is  tin'  intcri'st  of  one  of  (he  parlies,  and  ho 
lia[)pens  to  ho  tho  stroi:-,'ost.  Novortheless,  it  is  riii;ht  to  follow  the  laws 
of  custom.  On  tho  21th  of  Aui;nst,  I  iiui  an  interview  with  tliat  most 
worthy  Spanish  f,'enenil,  Don  Juan  do  O'Donoju;  and  on  tho  same  day 
was  concluded  hetwoon  us  a  treaty,  whidi  hears  the  name  of  the  placo 
when.'  it  was  signed,  and  was  sent  oil'  to  his  majesty,  Ferdinand  VII.,  by 
an  (illicer  of  O'Doiioju's  suit, 

'•  Tho  treaty  of  (."ordova  opiuied  to  mo  tho  <;atos  of  the  capital,  which 
otiicrwise  I  could  liavo  forced.  Hut  it  is  always  dolisihtlul  to  me  to  ho 
spared  tho  necessity  of  r.xposin^r  my  men,  and  of  shoddinjj  tho  blo(Kl  of 
those  who  have  lieen  my  companions  in  anus. 

•'Tiiere  were  persons  who  ra-  i!  'i.io.stions  on  tlio  treaty  of  f'ordiwa, 
hy  d(,ulitiii^  my  authority,  as  veil  as  that  of  ()'  Monoju,  to  enter  into  a 
compact  u|H)n  ii  niaUcr  oi  so  tnudi  ilolicacy.  Il  would  lie  ea.sy  to  answer 
them,  hy  saying  tuat  in  ino  wa.s  deposited  tho  will  ol  tlie  Mexican  people 
at  that  perliKl;  in  the  ftr^t  placo,  hecau.so  tiiat  which  I  sijjneil  in  their 
name  was  conl'ormahlo  to  what  they  must  have  desired;  and  secondlv, 
because  they  had  already  <;iven  jiriMjI's  of  their  sentiments  ;  such  as  were 
able  to  bear  arms,  by  joiniii};  nie,  and  others  hy  assistinif  mo  in  every  way 
which  lay  in  their  power  In  every  place  Ihronuh  which  I  passed,  I  was 
received  in  the  most  cntlni.-iastic  manner.  Seeing;  that  no  one  was  forced 
to  exlii'iit  these  deiuoMslralions,  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  lliey  approved  ol 
my  iiilenlicin".  and  that  tl:  'ir  ideas  accorded  with  mine.  With  re-pecl  lu 
•  iencral  O'Donoju,  he  was  ibe  principal  aiilbority  furnished  with  creden- 
tials from  his  (lovermnent,  and  even  thoui;h  ho  miy;ht  not  have  received 
.specific  instructions  for  that  particular  casr,  the  circmnslances  autliorized 
liiiu  to  do  the  Ih^.sI  he  could  for  his  cuimtry. 

"Had  this  jjeiieral  ciimmaiKled  an  army  superior  to  mine,  anil  pos- 
sessed resou'-ces  sullicieiil  to  enable  him  to  carry  on  war  a^piinst  me,  he 
mifi'''  '  ..ve  properly  refu-'i'd  to  si^>n  the  treaty  of  </<irdovu,  without  lirst 
coimniniicatiiii;  with  IiIh  (iovcrniuent,  and  receivln;;  its  answer.  Hut 
attended  as  he  was  with  scarcely  a  dozen  ollicers,  the  whole  country 
lieiiiH  in  my  power,  his  .nission  iH'ini;  adverse  lo  the  .sentieu-nts  ef  the 
])eople,  unable  to  procure  inlelliijenco  of  tho  state  of  thin(;rs,  willn'Ul  any 


1'  U  1.  K     A  J)  M  IMS  T  U  A  T  ION. 


67 


the  Presidency,  and  was  succeeded  Ity  Peclraza.  In 
18;$;{,  Santa  Anna  liiinselt'  \va.s  e' jcted  President  of 
Mexico.     Tlie  dissulntiou  of  Congress  l)y  tiie  Pre- 

Iinowlo(I(;o  of  tho  localitios.  plnit  up  in  a  wrak  fortross,  wliirh  was  cx> 
pdscd  to  our  fire,  witli  an  army  in  front  of  him,  atnl  tlio  ffw  troops  of  tlic 
kiiiij  wlio  liaii  remained  in  Mexico,  conimanileil  by  an  intrusive  riiief; 
nn(l(!r  sncli  circiMnstancos,  let  those  persons  who  disapprove  of  the  con- 
duct of  O'Donoju  say  wiiat  they  would  have  done  if  they  liad  l)ccn  in  hia 
plare,  or  what  they  imairino  lie  ought  to  have  done?  Ho  must  have 
siijned  tlie  treaty  of  (Jordova,  or  linve  l>ecome  my  pri.'oner,  or  have  re» 
turned  Id  Spain  !  he  had  no  other  aiternalive.  If  he  liad  rhosen  either  of 
llie  laller,  ail  his  cnuntryuien  would  liave  licen  eomproniised,  and  the 
(iovernment  of  Spain  would  have  lost  every  h()|H!  of  those  advantiiges 
which  it  then  obtained  ;  advanlap's  whicJi  it  never  would  have  acquired, 
if  I  had  not  been  in  t'  comiiiand,  and  if  ()'l)on<ijii  had  not  Ixjen  an  able 
politician  as  well  as  r  raithful  Spaniard. 

"  I  entered  At  .vjco  on  the  -J"!!!  of  Septeml)or,  1821  ;  on  the  same 
day  was  installed  the  Junta  of  < iovernment  which  is  spoken  of  in  the 
plan  of  Ijruala,  and  the  treaty  of  Cordova.  It  .vas  nominated  by  me,  but  not 
nceordinjj;  to  my  arbitrary  choice ;  for  I  wished  to  a.ssemble  together  such 
men  of  every  party  as  enj<iy(>d  the  hij;hest  reputation  amont'st  their 
friends.  This  was  tho  only  means  which  could  be  re.-orled  te  in  such 
cxtniordinary  cin-urnsfances  for  cnusulliucf  the  |Hililic  (i))iiiiiiu. 

"  Up  to  this  point  my  mea.«nres  gained  general  approlmtion,  and  in  no 
instance  were  my  hopes  deceived.  Hut  ns  soon  ns  the  jiiita  l)Ogiin  to 
exercise  its  functions,  it  |H>rverled  the  jK.wers  which  had  Ix-on  granted  to 
it  ;  and  within  a  few  days  after  its  in-tallatinn.  I  -nw  what  was  likely  to 
Ih'  the  issue.  From  that  imment  I  shuddered  lor  the  fate  that  awaited  my 
fellow-citizens.  It  was  in  my  power  to  resume  the  whole  authority,  and 
1  asked  myself,  ought  I  not  to  resume  it,  if  such  a  step  tw  essential  to 
the  safety  of  my  country?  I  considered,  however,  that  it  woidd  have 
Ihmmi  rash  in  me  to  resolve  on  uudi'rlakinjj  such  an  enterprise,  ri'lying 
solely  on  my  owii  iudijrment.  If  I  were  to  cnn-ult  with  i.thers,  niv  di'sign 
might  transpire,  and  intentions,  which  had  sprung  solely  Irom  mv  love 
for  my  country,  and  from  a  desire  to  promote  its  happiness,  might  bo 
nttributed  to  ambitious  views,  and  construe, I  into  a  viol.ition  of  niv  pro- 
mise. Hesidi's,  even  if  I  were  to  accomplish  every  thing  which  I  pro- 
|)osed.  I  <'oulil  not  have  done  it  without  inlriMiriu!:  on  the  pliin  of  Iiruala, 
which  it  wa-i  my  u'feit  obiect  to  maintain,  bec.iuse  I  l.oked  u|><)n  it  as  the 
ajgis  of  the  piddic  welfare.  These  were  tia'  Irno  reasons  which,  to- 
gether with  otiiers  of  less  importance,  restrained  mo  from  taking  any  de- 


JASPlJll   I.DUIAIIY, 


•>iid 


IP  HISTORY     OF     THK 

sideiit  was  quickly  followed  by  a  rhiiu'/ir  m  1<ft« 
fonn  of  goveniint'ut.  The  State  J>^>;i.^Iti'i.w;.»'*  \VA-pe 
disdolvetl;  and  a  Central  Goveiumeutj  wJn<,4»;  m*i  Hft- 

cisivo  meapiires.  Tliey  woiilil  Imvo  liroiiplit  me  into  <;ollwiv<i  \\^\\\\  (lift 
favorite  feelings  of  the  cuUivutcd  nations  ol  tiic  world,  wnt!  l»w*<»  r<(<t1<(orvrf 
me,  for  some  time,  an  object  of  hatred  to  a  set  ol  num.  u'Uv  >».tw  itlt'ntii- 
af ed  by  cliimerical  ideas,  and  who  had  never  learned.  <.)r  lju<l  Mist\'  iKfifht^en, 
thst  the  repnblic  which  w.ih  most  jealous  of  iU  liberty,  puiwtawM'  ,1lmv  itg 
dictatora.  1  may  add,  that  1  have  always  endeavored  to  U-  ^Artinutinnf  |n 
my  principles;  and  as  I  hail  proposed  to  form  u  juiilii.  J  lti(li|«4i  rt\y  jjro- 
mise,  and  was  reluctant  to  inido  the  work  «f  my  own  liwud^. 

"  There  wjrc  at  this  time  some  deputies  in  Mexico  wiiv  i»«t  ilrtii*  Vwlnu 
on  the  pnhlic  happiness,  when  it  is  opposed  to  their  privult  ;HiVti««tif\  ^^d 
who  had  acipiired  reputation  by  some  actions  thai  uppt.'wed  jfHi>miiH  to 
those  W'ho  wore  benefited  by  them  without  knowinjr  tlif  Mi<(t«ti  ■>iii\v'<  by 
which  they  iiad  Iwcn  prompted.  They  were  well  uctjiiumViH!  vjii»  t\\i* 
mysteries  of  intrigue,  ever  ready  to  stoop  to  w'r\  ihty  wlnnt  t^jny  lUdnd  If 
exjiedient,  and  to  assume  insolence  when  their  «<Vur  wui-  iv<W'i»w«ti()Hnt. 
These  men  di.sliked  me  Ijccauso  I  had  hitherto  been  isu<;<;»ii«rtM  ;,i  rt,y 
career,  and  they  began  to  foment  those  parties  which  v».t«i  ((V.<t<\vai<(lM 
known  under  I  he  titles  of  Heiniblicans  and  BourUmutU.  m,{  wltieh, 
however  they  ditfered  on  other  jwints,  were  united  m  tittjt*  rVjOAmtjon 
to  me. 

'■  The  republicans  were  ho.stilo  to  me,  becaui>e  fljHy  wc!!  !l>i»t\^  f^«jy 
conld  never  bring  me  to  contribute  to  the  establishuiunt  ot  {>  i»w'i>r'imient, 
which,  whatever  might  1k'  its  attractions,  did  not  huit  tin  >l5!.>yi<<nti<<. 
Nature  produces  nothing  by  sudden  leaps ;  she  operuler  [iv  ,ni'.irtn»«Hi«t» 
degrees.  The  moral  world  follows  the  laws  ol  the  plunMiMl-  1f(V  think 
that  wc  could  emerge  all  at  once  from  a  sttite  of  di'Uuiouiiiii' .  ntt^H' ;(«  tl«lt 
of  slavery,  and  from  a  state  of  ignorance,  such  as  liau  l/i;mi  tMt|i<i,i4  np/vn 
US  for  three  hundred  years,  during  which  we  hud  iieithor  IaaUw  \sr^  in- 
structors, and  the  iws.session  of  knowli.'dge  hud  Uteu  thoutjiii  ji  Jiitni'imt: 
cause  for  persecution ;  to  think  that  wc  could  guin  »iil<.KiitHliv«i  »«i4  i\<ttne- 
ment  in  a  moment,  as  if  by  enchantment ;  that  we  <;oul<)  >.'.<mrt«  f*\^ry 
virtue,  forget  prejudices,  and  give  up  false  prelension.-  kv.ir  i'.Hilrt  ex- 
pectation, and  could  only  have  entered  into  tlie  visiout  ol  Mi  itM'tidiHKt, 

"Tho  Bourbonists,  on  the  other  hand,  wished  for  ii.y  lul  .il/i(iffi(«!»i,  ^ 
soon  as  the  decision  of  the  goverivnent  of  Madrid  wiu-  mmiIA  kiww'n 
through  its  decree  of  the  13th  of  February,  which  ^tw  ttusa^wnGy 
transmitted  by  tho  minister  for  the  colonies,  and  iu  wliioh  ti*.  MtS^mf  of 
O'Donoju  was  formally  disapproved,  the  treaty  of  ("■•'.uovii  iUt^Mttn  rtull 


I'  O  L  K      A  l>  M  f  N  I  S  T  11  \  T  ION. 


69 


divisilde,  wim  ««ta1>liMlif!«l.  Tlii^  act  protlucecl  re- 
sistance uj>oi)  tli<'  j»urt  of  Coaliuila,  Texas,  and 
Zacatecas.     Tl)<i  luiXcr  State  was  reduced  to  sub- 

nnd  void,  as  to  tliat  fwH  of  (f  whirh  invifpH  the  Bonrlrons  to  the  crown  of 
Mexico.  1111(1  cfTt'ctivf?  V. ill)  rc'fiBCt  to  the  nntion's  entering  into  the  full 
enjnyiiienl  of  it»  ri(((it  l/»  i-U-i-.t  nn  sovfTeii;n  the  individual  whom  it  would 
deem  nio«t  worthy  of  thai  liigh  ofTioe.  'I"hc  Hourbonista,  therefore,  no 
longer  exiwtinjr  that  «  IVmrfion  would  reign  in  >[cxico,  thought  only  of 
our  returning  t/)  our  Uirnmr  nlnlf.  of  dc[K!ndencc ;  a  retrogression  which 
was  iiii[K)!'»il)l(',  iiiumU'riti'jr  the  iuipotence  of  the  Spaniards,  and  the 
determiiialion  of  the  Aiiiirnrnnn. 

"  Hence  I  Ix'caiiu;  iIm;  lAifU'-t  of  attack  to  both  these  parties,  because 
as  I  had  the  puhlicr  forri:  at  my  rotnmand,  and  was  the  centre  of  general 
opinion,  it  waH  imei^ntnry  to  the  preponderance  of  either  party  that  I 
should  cease  to  exi'l, 

"'I'hc  leaileri*  o/  ih'  fortioni  "pared  no  pains  to  gain  proselytes  ;  and 
ccr'aiiily  llii'v  (oiiiii)  tiiany  to  adhere  to  them.  Some  who  were  the  least 
experiencpil,  KufTercl  ll«ffn«rlveii  to  lie  easily  led  away  ;  because  they  saw 
nothing  more  In  tli<'  yruy^rU  in\  f'lof  than  what  was  represented  to  them, 
and  thi-re  in  no  design  of  whir.h  dilfcrent  views  may  not  lie  given  ;  some 
hoped  tiial  by  the  mlrtcrnion  of  the  (loverninent  they  might  advance  their 
own  fortiiiii'H ;  arul  otU^r*,  the  nntiirnl  enemies  of  established  order,  in 
whatever  Fyftem  it  prevaiU,  were  anxious  only  for  a  cliungo.  Among 
the  latter,  one  niit|hl  \a'  iitirri<-'t  who  vahies  himself  on  his  literary  accom- 
plishments, and  lia»  utaAi:  hirnwlf  ronspicuous  in  the  revolution.* 

"  Till'  tirKt  duty  of  tUr  junta  after  its  installation,  was  to  frame  the 
convfK'atnria.  or  pr<xrLiriia(ir>ri  fur  the  assemblage  of  a  Congress,  which 
wa- to  givi"  a  c«'i"tiiiiti'<n  to  the  monarchy.  The  junta  took  more  time 
to  perform  this  duly  than  the  urgency  of  the  case  [Hirmitted, .  id  com- 
mitted spveral  error*  in  frotninij  tlie  convocatoria.  It  was  extremely  de- 
fective, but  with  all  (tx  )mp"if»'rtiorn  it  was  accepted;  I  could  do  no  more 
than  piTci'lve  the  I'vil,  and  lament  it.  'I'he  census  of  the  provinces  was 
not  CDiicidli'd  ;  henc'-,  f'<f  inManrc.  one  di'puty  was  appointed  for  a  pro- 
vince conljiining  a  hiiicIrK)  llKi(i<and  inhabitants,  and  four  for  a  province 
scarcely  iieoph-d  hy  half  tlitit  number.  Nor  did  it  at  all  enter  into  the 
calculatioiiit  of  the  junta,  that  the  representatives  ought  to  be  in  propor- 
tion to  the  civilizaliofi  lA  the  reprcs<'iitr(l.  Three  or  four  iiidiviihials 
might  Ix'  ea>ily  m'I<-<'Ic»|  frofn  among  a  hiindrcil  well-eduiMtrd  citizens, 
who  might  |K»»>«'»>^  lie;  'pialifiritions  necessary  to  coiistilule  good  i  eputies; 

•  Tim  twtivi/JiMl  lirf*  f^f^fr^rl  trt  H  pr'itmt)ly  Don  I.iicus  Aliiinan. 


Oi  .anJ  Maicli  1. 1H,^4, 


ro 


HISTORY     OF     T 11 E 


misfiiou  l)y  Santa  Anna  in  peison,  while  General 
Cos  Avas  ilispatclied  for  the  ])iiri»ose  of  forcing  tlie 
Texaus  to  yield.      Thus  violence  tuid  fraud    pro- 


wliilst  ninoiifj  n  llioiisniid,  who  are  \vitlio:it  education,  and  arc  iVnorant  of 
the  (ir.st  rudiments,  scarcely  one  man  can  bo  met  with  of  sulticiont  ability 
to  know  what  Is  conducive  to  tiie  public  welfare — whose  mind  is  sulH- 
ciently -enlarged  to  take  accurate  views  of  public  affiiirs,  or  at  least  to 
save  him  from  extravagant  errors  respecting  them;  who  has  sullicicnt 
firmness  of  character  to  vote  according  to  what  he  thinks  l)est,  and  not  to 
deviate  from  his  opinion  when  once  convinced  of  its  truth  ;  and  whose 
experience  enables  him  to  perceive  the  grievances  which  atllict  his  pro- 
vince, as  well  as  the  remedy  which  they  rciiuire.  For,  although  that 
rea.edy  might  not  always  bo  within  his  reach,  such  experience  would 
enable  him,  on  hearing  others  proposed,  to  form  a  sound  judgment  upon 
them. 

"  These  defects  were  quite  suHicinnt  to  extinguish  every  hope,  that  any 
benefits  would  be  derived  from  the  convocatoria  of  the  junta.  It  had 
many  other  fauUs  which  I  have  not  mentioned,  as  I  do  not  mean  to  com- 
ment u|)oii  them.  But  there  is  one  which  I  cannot  pass  over  in  silence, 
that  of  having  the  deputies  nominated  at  the  will,  not  of  a  district  {jidrtidn), 
for  that  would  be  of  a  majority  of  the  citizens,  but  of  the  nyiintiiniientos 
of  the  principal  towns.  See  the  injury  thus  done  to  the  country  |:eople 
at  larpf !  In  the  elections  n  vote  was  given  by  the  junta,  to  the  electors, 
chosen  by  the  country  people  ;  and  a  voice  was  also  given  to  the  indivi- 
duals who  composed  the  aynitamiento  of  the  principal  town  of  each  de- 
partment. IJiit  in  electing  !lie  ayniitamientos,  it  was  possible  to  get  into 
tiicm  by  a  little  management,  as  was  in  fact  fretpiently  done  ;  liccaiiso  tlio 
wish  of  aspiring  to  the  finictions  f)f  these  bodies,  was  not  so  general 
as  the  ambition  of  obtaining  a  seat  in  Congress.  The  aytnifamientos 
were,  therefore,  tilled  up  at  their  own  pleasure,  and  were  conse(piently 
vitiated  ;  and  as  all  tlie  members  possessed  a  vote  in  the  elections  for  de- 
puties, the  ayniitamientos  became  almoht  the  only  electors.  This  is  evi- 
dent to  any  one  who  knows  how  thinly  the  popidation  is  distribut(?d  over 
that  country,  and  how  great  a  dispro|iorlion  exists  lnHwcen  the  numljer  of 
inhabitants  in  a  town,  and  in  its  depenilencies. 

"  To  reiuk"-  this  clearer,  let  it  Im'  supposed  that  a  principal  town  of  a 
province  contains  four,  eight,  or  ten  thousand  iidiabitants,  leaving  out  of 
the  (pie.stion  the  city  of  .Mexico,  the  population  of  which  exceeds  one 
hundred  and  seventy  thousaml  souls,  and  other  cities  densely  iidiabited. 
Tiie  aynntamiento  of  such  a  town  consists,  |M'rhaps,  of  fifty  or  sixty  mem- 
bers; the  departments  which  have  to  send  electors  to  the  principal  town, 


rOLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


71 


ducetl  a  radical  change  in  tlie  internal  affairs  of 
Mexico,  and  the  sovereignties  of  the  States  were 
snltstituted  by  the  establishment  of  a  Central  Gov- 


naino  no  more  thnn  eiglit  or  ten.  Tliis  small  number,  therefore,  acting  in 
conjunction  willi  all  tlie  nienibers  of  the  nynntiimiento,  is  reduced  to  a 
ciplier,  and  tiie  election  teniiinatos  accordini;  to  tlie  pleasure  of  that  body. 
Thus  the  people  were  deceived  by  lH,>in{r  told,  that  in  them  resided  the 
soveroiijnity,  which  they  werg  to  dolciriitc  to  the  de|)nties  whom  they  were 
about  to  name ;  when  in  fact  there  was  no  such  nomination,  except  on 
the  part  of  the  ayuntauiiento,  or  rather,  indeed,  of  the  directors  of  the 
junta,  who.  alter  the  dissolution  of  that  body,  passed  into  the  (Jon^jress,  in 
order  to  continue  their  manteuvres. 

"  To  this  svsl  ?in,  so  framed,  was  added  intrigue  in  the  elections ;  the 
most  worthy  mci  were  not  sought  for,  nor  even  those  who  were  decided 
for  any  particula  ;,uity.  It  was  (|uite  sullicient  if  the  candidate  wtro  my 
enemy,  or  so  igr.  mint  that  he  might  easily  bo  persuaded  to  become  so.  If 
he  |M)ssessed  eil  ler  of  thes'  requisites,  ho  was  deemed  competent  to  dis- 
charge the  sacreci  fiinctioi.s  which  were  to  !«  intrusted  to  him. 

'•  If  the  archives  of  slate  have  not  licen  spoliated,  remonstrances  may  lie 
found  amongst  them  Iroiii  almost  all  the  provinces,  |)<)inting  out  the  nullity 
of  the  powers  conferred  on  the  deputies.  Several  individuals  were  elected 
^ho  had  teen  accused  of  conduct  notoriously  scandalous ;  some  had  lx?en 
prosecuted  as  criminals  :  others  were  men  of  broken  fortunes,  tumultuous 
demagogues,  ollicors  who  had  capitulated,  and  who,  violating  the  laws  of 
war  and  their  paroles,  had  again  taken  up  arms  against  the  cause  of 
lilx'riy,  and  after  siuleriiig  defeat  had  surrendered  n  second  time.  Some 
of  the  new  deputies  were  obstinate  anti-indetiendents,  and  one  was  an 
npttstate  monk,  although  by  law  no  meiuher  of  the  religious  orders  could 
ha  .e  a  seat  in  Congress.  The  authors  of  the  remonstrances  oirercd  also 
to  prove,  that  the  rules  for  the  conduct  of  the  elections,  as  they  were  laid 
down  in  the  convocatoria,  had  lieeii  iiilringed;  and  that  the  )x.'rsons  re- 
turned were  not  tliosn  whom  the  majority  ajiproved,  but  those  who  wore 
the  most  skilful  in  i  itrigue.  Those  documents  were  all  sent  to  my  depart- 
ment, when  I  was  generalissimo  and  admiral-in-chief ;  when  1  IxM-ame 
Kiiipcror.  I  directed  them  to  be  transmitted  to  the  department  of  the 
interior,  liir  the  purpose  of  being  dc|)osited  in  the  archives.  I  did  not  wish 
to  lav  them  before  the  Congress,  lu'caiise,  even  if  justice  wi're  done,  which 
could  hardly  lie  e.\|)ected,  I  saw  that  they  would  l)e  productive  only  of 
odium,  and  of  legal  prosecuIi(/ns.  I  con.-idered  that  time  would  1m>  lost  in 
new  I'leclioiis,  as  it  woulil  Ik'  nece>sary  to  have  the  most  of  them  renewed, 
unil  I  lelt  that  our  most  im|Hirtant  caro  was  lirKt  to  urgani/.c  the  govern- 


^1 


n 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


enimeiit.  Stability  tlid  uot  follow  this  event.  The 
liistoiy  of  the  country  from  the  insurrection  under 
Hidalgo  has  jiresented  a  succession  of  revolutions. 


mpnt.  nesid-^s,  I  thoutrhl  that  the  errors  into  which  this  Congress  mlgiit 
fall,  might  he  corrected  by  tiiiit  wliicli  slioiild  succeed  it.  Tliis  mode  of 
reasoning,  v.iiicji  woidd  liave  been  questionable,  perhaps  under  any  other 
circumstances,  was  suitable  to  those  which  then  existed,  because  the  ob- 
ject was  to  avoid  greater  evils. 

"  The  result  of  the  elections,  therefore,  was  the  formation  of  a  Cong'ress, 
perfectly  conformable  to  the  wishes  of  the  party  who  influenced  its  nomi- 
nation. A  few  men  of  undoubted  virtue  and  wisdom,  and  of  the  purest 
patriotism,  whose  fair  reputation  was  so  widely  extended  that  no  machina- 
tions could  prevent  them  from  having  a  majority  of  sufl'rages,  found  them- 
selves CDuronndod  with  a  multitude  of  intriguers,  of  assuming  manners 
and  sinister  intentions.  I  do  not  desire  to  be  credited  on  my  mere  asser- 
tions ;  examine  the  acts  of  the  Coi.grcss  during  the  eight  months  that 
elapsed  from  its  installation  until  its  8us|)enslon.  The  principal  object  of 
its  assembling  was  to  draw  up  a  constitution  for  the  empire  :  not  a  single 
line  of  it  was  written.  In  a  country,  naturally  the  richest  in  the  world,  the 
treasury  was  exhausted  ;  there  were  no  funds  to  pay  the  army  or  the  public 
functionaries  ;  there  was  no  revenue,  not  even  a  system  of  finance  estab- 
lished, as  tliat  which  had  existed  in  the  time  of  the  Spanish  rule  had  befti 
abolished,  without  any  other  system  having  been  substituted  for  it.  The 
Congress  would  not  occupy  itself  in  matters  of  such  essential  importance, 
notwithstaiidiiig  the  repeated  and  urgent  solicitations  which  I  made  to  it  in 
person,  and  through  the  secretaries  of  state.  The  administration  of  justice 
was  wholly  neglected  ;  in  the  changes  which  bad  taken  place,  some  of  the 
oflicers  had  loll  the  empire,  some  died,  others  had  embraced  new  av(x;o- 
tions,  and  the  offices  and  tribunals  were  nearly  deserted.  Upon  this  sub- 
ject, also,  the  Congress  (lecline<l  to  fake  any  steps  ;  in  short,  although  the 
cmjiire  was  in  tlie  weakness  of  infancy,  and  wanted  their  assistance  at 
every  point,  they  did  notliiini.  The  s|)eeches  which  were  pronounced, 
turned  on  matters  of  the  most  trifling  description,  and  if  any  of  them  hap- 
pened to  touch  on  topics  deserving  of  consideration,  they  were,  to  say  the 
least  of  them,  foreign  to  the  exigencies  of  the  moment.  What  honors 
bIiouM  be  paid  to  the  chiefs  of  the  insurrection  who  had  fallen  ?  What 
should  be  the  form  for  the  oath  of  an  nrchbishop  ?  Who  ought  to  nomi- 
nate the  supremo  tribunal  of  justice  ?  Such,  together  with  a  demand  for 
an  a|)ostato  friar,  who  was  a  prisoner  in  the  castle  of  San  Juan  do  Ulua, 
and  other  similar  subjects,  formed  the  grave  occupations  of  a  l«Kly  so  au- 
gust in  its  institution  !     .\dJ  to  this,  that  not  a  single  regulation  was  made 


POLK     ADSriXISTRATION. 


18 


Tlie  people  would  now  yield  voluntary  submission 
to  II  crown,  and  then  become  zealous  sunportei's  of 
po])ular  liberty.  Hut  slicM't  intervals  of  {'aim  would 
occur  between  the  scenes  of  jinarchy  and  violence. 

for  tlio  (Tovernmpiit  of  tlip  intorior.  Tlio  rosiilf  was,  tlmt  tlif  ('iuiirrpiis 
becHine  llio  <)|)pr()l)rimii  of  the  peojilo,  aiiil  full  into  a  stiito  of  alijcci  con- 
tempt. The  piibhc  prints  exposcj  its  clefectr',  anil  even  one  of  the  tlepu- 
tics  stntod  his  opinion,  that  it  stood  in  need  of  rcfonnntion. 

"  It  soon  liecunie  manifust  that  the  olijert  of  those  who  irave  all  its 
movomenls  to  that  machine,  was  only  to  i;ain  time,  iiiid  to  deceive  each 
other  uiilil  they  found  an  opporfiniity,  for  the  arrival  of  which  they  se- 
cretly lalK)red,  in  order  to  throw  olT  the  mask.  Notwitlistandinj;  the  cun- 
ning which  they  used,  and  the  dissimulation  with  which  they  endeavored 
to  carry  out  their  designs,  the  [x-opio  and  the  army  saw  throu;:h  their  real 
views.  Neither  the  army  nor  the  |>eople  desired  slavery  on  one  hand,  or 
republicanism  on  the  other ;  nor  did  they  wish  to  see  me  deposed,  or  even 
in  any  manner  otletided,  and  from  these  feelinjjs  arose  that  distrust  with 
which  the  whole  nation  received  all  the  resolutions  that  orifrinatcd  in  so 
vitiated  a  IxKly. 

'•  AlK)iit  the  month  of  April,  lfi22,  n  state  of  ajrilation  was  ohservahle, 
which  threatened  to  end  in  anarchy.  A  public  measure,  eU'ected  in  a 
scandalous  manner,  discovered  the  hvpocrisy  of  its  authors.  The  Con- 
gress deposed  three  of  the  refjents,  leavinj;  in  office  with  me  oidy  one, 
who  was  well  known  to  he  my  enemy,  for  the  purpose  of  reducini;  my 
vote  in  the  executive  to  n  nullity.  They  did  not  attempt  to  depose  me, 
from  an  apprehension  that  they  would  1m(  resisted  by  the  army  and  the 
people,  of  my  influence  with  whom  they  were  well  aware.  This  resolu- 
tion was  imssed  in  the  most  precipitate  and  sinjrular  manner.  The  cpios- 
tion  was  proiH)sed,  discuss  "d,  agreed  to,  and  carried  into  execution  in  one 
sittinfr,  whereas  it  had  bet  •<  previously  settled  by  decree,  that  every  pro- 
position which  was  (,u  miitleJ  to  the  f'ongress,  should  l»  read  three  times, 
at  three  distinct  sittinffs,  Ix  fore  it  should  lie  discussed.  After  this  .step 
they  prop<5sod  another ;  a  copiniission,  appointed  for  that  purpose  jire- 
eented  n  re|i;ulntion  cnncemmg  the  rejiency,  in  which  the  command  of  the 
army  was  declared  incompatible  with  the  functions  of  the  executive  power. 
They  were  jealous  of  my  havinjr  the  soldiery  at  my  dis|)osal :  to  such 
men  fear  was  very  natural.  This  regulation,  although  it  did  not  receive 
the  sanction  of  the  legislature  on  account  of  the  want  of  time,  left  no 
doubt  of  the  designs  which  were  entertained  against  me,  and  was  the  itn- 
mediate  cause  which  accelerated  the  event  of  the  18th  of  May.  At  ten 
o'clock,  on  that  memorable  night,  the  people  and  garrison  of  Mexico  pro- 


u 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


Iiulood,  from  1828  to  1833,  Mexico  Avitiu'S-secl 
the  jt'^crndeiR-y  of  Santa  Anna,  tlio  triuniplis  of 
Bustaiaente,  tlie  elevation  of  Guerrero,  the  jjopu- 


cliiiiiii'd  mo  Kmppror.  "  Live  Ajriistin  tho  First !"  was  the  univcrnl  cry. 
Iiif^tiiiitly,  as  if  all  were  actuated  iiy  the  sanio  scntiiiioiit,  tiiat  oxtpiisivo 
capiUil  was  iliiiiiiiiiiiti'd  ;  tho  Ijaicoiiios  wcro  decorated,  and  tilled  with  tho 
iiKist  re,-|)ectal)le  iidialiiUints,  who  joyously  echoed  luick  the  acclamations 
of  the  iiiimeiise  crowds  of  |)eople  which  tliron^^ed  all  tho  streets,  especial- 
ly those  near  tho  house  where  I  resided.  Not  one  citizen  expressed  any 
disjip|prol)ation,  a  decided  proof  of  the  weakness  of  my  enemies,  and  of  tho 
nniv(  isalily  of  the  puhlic  opinion  in  my  favor,  No  accident  or  disorder 
of  any  kind  occurred.  Tho  first  impulse  of  my  mind  was  to  go  forth  and 
declare  my  determination  not  to  yield  to  tho  wishes  of  the  people.  If  I 
restrained  my.scif  from  appearing  before  them  for  that  purpose,  it  was 
solely  in  compliance  with  tho  coiniselof  a  friend  who  happened  at  the  mo- 
ment Id  be  with  me.  '-They  will  consider  it  an  insult,"  he  had  scarcely 
time  to  say  to  me,  "  and  the  people  know  no  restraint  when  they  are  irrita- 
ted. Vou  must  make  this  fresh  sacrilicc  to  tho  public  good  ;  the  country 
is  in  danger ;  remain  a  moment  longer  undecided,  and  you  will  hear  their 
iicclamationa  turned  into  death-shouts."  I  felt  it  necessary  to  resign  my- 
self lo  circumstances  ;  and  I  spent  tho  whole  of  that  night  in  allaying  the 
general  enthusiasm,  and  persuading  tho  troops  to  give  time  for  my  deci- 
sion, and  in  the  meanwhile  to  render  ol)pdienco  to  the  Congress.  I  went 
out  repeatedly  to  harangue  them,  and  wrote  a  short  proclamation,  which 
was  circulated  tho  following  morning,  and  in  which  I  expressed  the  s>ame 
sentiments  as  those  I  addressed  to  the  people.  I  convened  the  regency, 
ns.senibled  the  generals  and  superior  officers,  communicated  what  had  oc- 
curred by  dispatch  to  tho  president  of  tho  Congress,  and  requested  him  to 
sumnioi\  inunediately  an  e-xtraordinary  sitting.  Tho  regency  was  of 
opinion  that  I  ought  to  yield  to  public  opinion  ;  the  superior  otlicers  of  the 
army  added,  that  such  also  was  their  unanimous  opinion,  that  it  was  ex- 
pedient I  should  do  so,  and  that  I  was  not  at  lilierty  to  act  according  to  my 
own  desires,  as  1  had  dedic.ited  myself  entirely  to  my  country  ;  that  their 
privations  and  sufferings  would  be  useless  if  I  persisted  in  my  objections ; 
and  that  having  compromised  themselves  through  me,  and  having  yielded 
me  unqualified  olK»dience,  they  had  a  claim  to  my  compliance.  They  sub- 
sequently drew  up  a  memorial  which  they  presented  to  the  Congress,  re- 
questing it  to  take  this  important  matter  into  its  consideration.  Tliis 
paper  was  signed  also  by  tho  individual  who  subseipiently  officiated  as  |)rc- 
sident  of  the  act  of  Casa-Jlktata,  and  by  one  of  tho  present  members  of  tho 
executive  body. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


75 


larity  of  Gomez  Faria.s,  the  victories  of  Bruvo,  the 
Presidency  of  Peclrtizji,  aiul  the  (.lisgrace  of  each 
and  all  in  succession.     lu  1834:  Sauta  Aima  forced 

"  The  CongresH  met  on  the  followinjj  morning  ;  the  people  crowded  to 
tlie  piillerios  and  the  eiitmiico  to  the  chamhcr :  tlieir  applauses  were  in- 
cessant ;  a  joyous  ni;ilati(jn  was  observable  in  every  lace  ;  the  speeches 
of  the  deputies  were  interrupted  hy  the  impatience  of  the  niuUitudc.  It 
is  ditlicult  to  obtain  order  in  nioinents  like  tliese  ;  imt  such  an  important 
discussion  required  it,  and  in  order  to  attain  that  object,  the  Conjfres.s  re- 
quired that  I  should  l)e  present  at  the  sittinjr.  A  deputation  was  a|)point- 
ed,  who  communicated  the  invitation  to  me.  I  declined  it,l)et'uuse  us  tlii'y 
were  alKuit  to  treat  of  me  personally,  my  presence  might  he  considered  as 
n  restraint  on  the  freedom  of  de'.mte,  and  an  impediment  to  the  clear  and 
frank  rx|)ression  of  each  individual's  opinion.  The  deputjition  and  .several 
gonenil  olHcers,  however,  prevailed  on  me  to  accept  the  invitation,  and  I 
immediately  went  out  in  order  to  proceed  to  the  place  where  the  Congress 
were  as.seinhled.  The  streets  were  scarcely  |iassuble,  so  crowded  were 
they  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  capital ;  they  tcKik  the  horses  from  my 
carriage,  and  I  was  drawn  by  the  people,  and  amiiNt  their  enthusiastic  ac- 
clamatiiins,  to  the  palace  of  the  ("on^jrcss.  On  entering  the  hall  v.liere 
tiie  deputies  were  asseudiled,  the  tiias  were  still  more  enthusiastic,  and 
resounded  from  every  quarter. 

"The  question  of  the  nomination  was  discussed,  and  there  was  nut  a 
single  deputy  who  op|Kised  my  accession  to  the  throne.  The  only  hesi- 
tation expressed  by  a  few,  arose  from  a  consideration  that  their  powers 
were  not  extensive  enough  to  authorize  them  to  decide  on  the  ([iiesiion. 
It  appeared  to  them  that  it  woidd  he  necessary  to  notify  the  subject  to 
provinces,  and  to  require  from  them  an  enlargement  of  powers  already 
granted,  or  new  powers  s|)eci(ically  applicable  to  this  case  alone.  I  su|)- 
ported  this  opinion,  'is  it  allorded  me  an  opportunity  of  tiniling  out  .^ome 
means  for  evading  the  acceptance  of  a  situation  which  I  was  most  anx- 
ious to  decline.  Hut  the  majority  were  of  a  contrary  o|)inion,  and  I  was 
elected  by  seventy-seven  voices  agsiinst  fifteen.  These  latter  did  not  deny 
me  their  sutVrages  ;  they  conlined  themselves  simply  to  the  expression  of 
their  belief,  that  the  provinces  ought  to  bo  consulted,  since  they  did  not 
think  their  powers  ample  enough,  but  at  the  .same  time  they  said  that  they 
were  persuaded  that  their  constituents  woidd  agree  with  the  majority,  mid 
think  that  what  was  done  was  in  every  respect  conducive  to  the  public 
welfare.  Mexico  never  witnes.sed  n  day  of  more  unmixed  satisfactimi ; 
every  order  of  the  inhabitants  testified  it.  I  returned  home  as  I  had  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Congress,  my  carriage  drawn  by  the  people,  who  crowded 


«FASPi:U   l.IJJRARV, 
Oigaii'i  March  1.1H3  f  , 
Instil   Apr.  :S»j  1:537 


m 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


the  Congress  to  suspend  its  Sessions,  and  while  that 
body  Avt-re  engaged  in  remodelling  the  constitution, 
commenced  the  Texas  revolution,  which  euiled  ia 
the  independence  of  that  country,  thus  severing  fur 
ever  from  Mexico  a  large  ^  itioii  of  her  teriitory, 
and  which  suhsec^uently  j)roduced  results  of  the 
greatest  magnitude,  involving  two  great  rei)ul)lics 
m  the  conflict  of  arms,  and  terminating  in  the  con- 
quest of  Mexico  and  the  dismemberment  of  her 
teri'itory.  This  brings  us  to  the  important  question 
of  the  Texas  revolution,  the  indeiiendence  of  that 
coimtry,  its  annexation  to  the  United  States,  and 
the  war  which  ensued,  which  vnU  be  examined 
more  in  detail. 


around  to  congratulate  me,  expressing  the  pleasure  which  they  felt  on 
seeing  their  wishes  fulfilled." 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


77 


ClIAFrER  IV. 

The  UoundarieB  of  Texas. — Hecoiiien  a  iMemlier  of  the  Confederacy  of  1824. 
— The  Texas  which  wiiH  oblniiicd  fruiii  France  in  1803,  and  whicli  was 
ceded  to  Spain  in  1819. — Grant  of  land  to  Moses  Austin. — Settlement  of 
Texas. — General  Cos  with  a  military  force  crosses  the  Nueces. — Colli- 
sion of  Arni.s. — Cos  is  forced  to  surrender. — Snnta  Annu  invades  Texas  in 
person. — Tlie  garrison  of  Alamo  sjauylitered. — Murder  of  tanning's 
command. — Battle  of  San  Jacinto. — Suma  Anna  makes  a  treaty  with 
the  Texans. — The  Mexicans  evacuate  Texas. — The  claim  of  Texas  to 
the  Rio  (Jrande. 

The  Texas  Kevolutioii,  mid  its  consequences,  were 
pruuiiueiit  causes  of  tho  war  with  Mexico;  and 
tlieretbre  the  settlement  of  Texas,  its  indtitcndence 
and  annexation  to  the  United  States,  must  be  brief- 
ly examined.  It  has  })een  unjustly  as.><ei'ted  by 
those  whose  position  entitled  their  oi)ini<)ns  to  some 
consideration,  that  the  first  settleiy  of  Texas  were 
outlaws  from  their  native  land.  Tliat  their  olyect 
in  emigrating  to  Texas  was  to  seek  an  asylum,  and 
when  they  had  oljtained  sufficient  strength,  to  sever 
fi'om  Mexico  by  force  that  portion  of  her  territory. 
TliLs  charge  is  as  unfounded  as  unjust. 

In  the  investigation  of  this  branch  of  the  sub- 
ject, it  becomes  important  to  ascertain  what  were 
the  boundaries  of  Texas,  at  the  date  of  her  revolu- 
tion. 

It  has  been  asserted,  that,  as  the  independence 
of  that  country  was  accomplished  by  revolution, 


luHt4  Apr.  ;Si|i*t  11157. 


78 


HI  STORY    OF    Tin; 


only  so  iiiucli  as  wiis  f'oiviMy  wrcstt'd  from  Mexico 
hy  tlio  sword,  was  aimcxtMl  to  this  country.  On 
tlic  otlicr  side,  it  Inis  liccn  as  sti'cnuously  insisted, 
that  the  country  known  as  Texas,  has  always  Iteen 
lidniideil  (»n  the  south  anil  west  ]>\  the  Wut  liravo; 
and  to  the  extent  of  these  lioundaries  Avas  iniMirpo- 
rated  as  a  State  into  tlie  Mexican  confederacy.  The 
several  States  of  Mexico,  in  1  Sl'4,  adoj»ted  a  consti- 
tution similar  to  onr  own  ;  and  it  has  Itecn  insisted, 
that  Texas,  iis  one  of  those  States,  beconiiiiL,'  a  party 
to  the  compact,  was  l»ound  by  its  provisions  only  so 
long  as  they  remained  in  force.  That  the  constitu- 
tion of  1.S24  was  a  coitipdct  i/f  Shth-v,  there,  can  he 
no  d(»ul)t.*  Santa  Anna,  sul)se([uently  to  that  pe- 
riod, havinijf  l>y  force  and  fiaiid  violated  that  con- 
stitution, each  State  in  the  confederacy  was  resolved 
into  its  oriirinal  (dement.f  It  is  not  easily  eon- 
ceived  how  this  reasoning  can  Ix;  successfully  con- 
troverted.     It  is    strongly   fortified   by    analogy. 

*  AiiT.  'i.  Tlie  Mexican  nation  adopts  for  its  govcmmciit  the  form  of 
rppiiliiican  roprosontativo,  popular,  fcilcral. 

Aiir.  .0.    'J'lio  parts  of  tiiis  fi'ilcration  are  tlio  States  and  Torritorios. 

AiiT.  171.  Tiic  articli's  of  lliis  ('(institution,  and  the  constilntionid 
act  which  ostabhsiies  the  iilicrty  and  indopondcnco  of  the  Ale.xican  nation, 
its  rcliijion,  form  of  government,  liberty  of  the  press,  and  division  of  the 
snproMifi  powers  of  the  federation  and  the  States,  ran  never  l)c  reformed. 
— Mij-irmi  ('iiiiilitiilioii  nf  IHlJt. 

'•  Ai!T.  'J.  It  is  free  and  indepciuleni  of  the  other  United  Mexican 
States,  and  (if  every  other  foreiirn  power  and  doniinioii."  Passed  AFarch 
11th,  18'J7,  and  accepted  hy  Mexico. —  Citnsiiliilion  of  Tcxns. 

f  Vattel  says  it  is  a  truth  ••  acknowledged  hy  every  sensible  writer, 
whose  pen  is  not  enslaved  by  fear  or  sold  for  hire,  that  as  soon  as  a  prince 
attacks  the  con.stitnlionof  the  state,  ho  breaks  the  contract  which  Ixinnd 
the  people  to  iiim  ;  the  people  become  free  by  tho  act  of  the  sovereign, 
and  can  no  longer  view  him  but  as  a  usurper,  who  would  load  them  with 
oppression." 


1M»  J,  K      A  l»  M  I  N  1ST  I!  A  T  H)  .V. 


7'.) 


Wlifii  the  (Holt  was  iiiailc  to  t'unii  <>nv  mvii  Coiisti- 
tutioii  as  u  sul»stitiit(!  for  the  old  articles  offont'cde- 
ration,  (l('l('<rat«'s  from  tlir  several  States  asseiiiMed 
in  foiiveiiti(»ii,  'I'Ik^  instriiiiieiit  which  was  then 
drawn  up,  until  sanctioned  Ity  nine  States,  was  not 
more  ol»li;;atory  tiian  so  niiieh  lilank  papei-.  I're- 
vioiisly  to  heconiin^'  j)arties  to  the  instrnnient,  tho 
States  were  independent  wovereii^nties.  They  were 
known  to  p(»ssess  certain  limits,  n<tt  always,  it  is 
ti'ue,  very  well  deHn<-d,  so  far  as  the  territoi'ics  wen; 
ouncerned  which  Ix-loni^ed  to  tlujin,  hut  sulliciently 
so  for  all  jtractical  jmrposes.  Sup))ose,  then,  these 
StatoH  had  refused  to  lieconie  parties  to  the  Con- 
stitution, eacji  woidd  havi;  preserved  its  sove- 
reiirnty  entirt'ly  in<lependent  of  the  rest.  Airain, 
.snj)pose  that  nine  States — the  nnndter  re(pili'e<l  hy 
the  Constitution  to  ^'iv('  it  life,  had  heconie  i»artie.s 
to  it,  and  the  thiee  remaining,'  States,  had  uncondi- 
tionally refused  to  sanction  it,  there  was  no  power 
to  force  them.  'I'hey  miL'ht  have  remaine(l  to  this 
day  separate  and  independent  sovereignties.  Mut 
for  n  still  further  illn-^tration :  suppose  at  this  day 
the  Union,  which  is  cotnposetl  of  thirty  States,  an<l 
ha.s  e.\paiide(|  in  power  and  grandeur  until  it  has 
])ecnme  one  of  the  first  poweis  on  the  eai'tli,  should 
be  violently  assailerl  |)y  a.  victorious  chieftain,  froh 
from  the  hattle-field,  with  his  trained  hands  ohedient 
to  his  will,  and  the  Constitution  should  he  destroyed, 
will  any  one  insist  that  the  States  would  he  houml 
])y  the  decrees  of  the  usurper  i  On  the  contrary, 
all  Would  admit  that  the  honds  which  l)oun(l  tho 
Union  togetlier,  liuving  Ijoen  violently  dissevered, 


IIISTOIIY     or     TIIK 


eadi  State  would  lu'i-oiiic  free  and  iiidcpondfiit.  If 
this  ri'asoiiiii/^f,  fnmi  aiialoffy,  'oo  coiu'lusivc,  no 
oiR' ran  deny  that  wlicii  tlid  Constitution  of  1S'J4, 
to  wliicli  Texas  i)ad  Ir'i'our'  a  J)arty,  was  destroyed 
by  Santa  Anna,  tliat  Texas  at  onee  resumed  the 
rights  wlilch  slie  possessed  before  Leeoming  a  party 
to  that  eonipaet.  The  eountry  known  as  Texas, 
was  ee(h'd  I)y  France  to  'lie  I'nited  States  l»y  tlie 
treaty  of  ISO!?.  We  have  the  a\itii.)rity  of  some  of 
the  most  distinguished  American,  Freneli,  and  Spa- 
nish statesmen,  for  saying,  tliat  tlie  southern  and 
western  ]joundary  of  Texas  was  the  liio  Hravo.* 

*  Mr.  Adams  in  1818  says  :  "  Tlio  claim  of  France  always  did  oxtond 
westward  to  the  Rio  liravo.  She  always  clniiued  the  territory  wlilcli  you 
call  Texas,  as  Iwirifr  w  tliln  tin'  limits,  and  I'ormiiiij  :i  |iart  of  Loiiisiairi." 

Mr.  Clay,  in  liis  Ualt'ii;li  letter,  written  in  181-1,  said  :  "Tin'  I'nitcd 
St;ites  arqiiired  a  tit'e  to  Texas,  extending,  as  I  believe,  to  tiio  Rio  del 
Nortp,  by  the  treaty  of  IiO\iisiana." 

In  S|)ain,  Texas  has  pone  to  the  RioRravo  ever  since  tlie  l)e(;innin{f  of 
1700.  Mr.  Cevallos,  ni-j;oliatinir  w.lli  I'inckney  anil  MoiiriK',  writes  at 
Aranjnez,  April  llilli,  180,5:  '•The  liiiiits  bi'tween  liimisiaim  and  the 
Texas  have  Ix-en  always  known,  even  when  tlii"  French  iwsMvsed  Lon- 
isianu.  Near  the  bejjinninfr  of  the  last  century,  the  venerable  Alanzet,  of 
the  order  of  San  Francisco,  founded  in  the  province  of  Texas,  towards  the 
conlines  of  I,onisiaiiii,  dilli'rent  missions,  ainon^'  them  Ni'coirdorlics."  And 
a  few  vears  after  he  wrote,  •'  it  was  i;enerally  known  in  the  writin;js  of 
those  times,  that  tlie  province  of  Texas,  or  new  Philippines,  had  its  boun- 
daries nlxiu*  the  middle  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  to  Pocenes,  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  to  the  Hast  Louisiana," 

l,et  us  hear  Don  Onis  to  Mr.  Adams,  January  10,  1817  :  "  You  did 
inc  the  honor  to  applaud  a  proposition  so  frank  and  liberal,  as  dictated  by 
equity  and  irood  faith,  and  made  known  to  me  with  the  same  frankiies.^, 
that  the  United  States  desired  to  unite  to  its  dominions  all  the  territories 
which  belong  to  Spain  to  the  east  of  the  Mississippi ;  and  that,  for  thcTi, 
•hey  would  offer  to  Spain  those  which  were  between  the  Rio  del  N' rie 
and  the  Colorado.  Rut  as  not  only  these  lands,  but  all  those  which  lie 
between  the  Colorado  and  Cape  North,  drawing  a  lino  by  the  river  Mer- 
inent'j,  or  Meniieittao,  towards  the  Presidio  cf  Adias,  anil  from  thenco,  by 


I'o  I,  K      A  jnr  I  X  1  ST  1!  A  T  I  o  N 


81 


riit'oituiiiilrly  that  Tcrritoiy  was  ceiled  to  Spain 
liy  the  treaty  of  Isl'.i,  and  siiliseiiuently  to  tliat  jx-- 
lioil  wjui  wrested  tVoni  that  (iovernnieiit  with   t!ic 


llip  Arryii  •  Midii,  townnls  Natcliitorlics.ari'  n  |i;irt  ofllic  |iriiviiire  of  Texas, 
Ik-1iiii;;iiii;  In.  nml  in  iIip  iiiiiiil<'rrii|il('il  iiossc.-sioii  of,  his  .Mijji'.-ly.  without 
ihiMc  liiivin;,'  hi>in,  ill  rrhilinn  thi-n'to,  any  ili^piiti'  k'tween  France  mid 
S|«uii,  (that  ilis|)iili'  U-iiii;  solely  lis  to  Nalciiitoclics  wliicli  fort  the 
Fri'iich  raised  iiniuslly  in  tlii^  territory  ol  his  Catliohc  .Majesty.)  it  result* 
llial  lliis  jiroposilion  not  only  dix's  not  oiler  coiiiin'iis.ition  to  his  .M;ijesty 
for  West  and  Last  flurida.  wlio'-e  cession  to  the  I 'iiited  Slates  you  inti- 
inale  uimld  lie  very  a(;reealile,  liiil  il  involves  the  reliiii|iii-liliiL'nl of  tliu 
propor'v  and  inmsesMioii  wliieh  lii.s  Majesty  Ims  of  the  territory  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Texas,  which  lies  l«'tween  the  Colorado  and  the  vicinity  of  \itch- 
iloches."  (For  Foreiirn  Uclalions.  IHS.)  'I'liere  is  no  pretence  that 
Spain  allered  the  lioiindaries  of  provinces,  hetween  IS-Jl  and  IH'Jt.  At 
the  latter  dali!  the  Confederation  of  .Me.vico  was  estahlished,  takiiiff  llie 
pniviiires  as  they  then  Htood.  {SrrWhileU  Recapilulalion,  375,  Title  X.) 

CONSTITUTIVK  ACTS  OF  TIIF,  MKXICAN  FKDFRATION. 

point    OK    i;oVr.l!NMKNT    AND    Hr.l-lllHlN. 

AuT.   1.     'I'lie  Mexican  nation    is   composed  of  provinces   fnnnally 
known  as  the 


Vi.' 


oyiilty  of  New  Spain.  thi>  Captaiii-ijeneralship  of  Yu- 
catan, and  the  internal  provinces  of  the  ea:l  and  west. 

Akt.  ti.  The  intejiml  jiarts  are  free,  sovereipn,  and  independent 
States,  in  as  far  as  reirnrds  exclusively  its  internal  ndiiiinistration,  accord- 
ing to  the  rules  laid  down  in  this  Act,  and  in  the  (lenernl  Constitution. 

Akt.  7.  The  State.s  at  present  coiiiposiiifr  the  federation  are  as 
following;,  viz.  :  (iiianajualo,  the  internal  State  of  the  west,  comiK)sed  of  the 
provinces  of  Sonora  and  Siimloa;  the  internal  State  of  the  east  coni|irisiiiij 
the  provinces  of  New  liCon,  Coahuila.and  Texas;  the  internal  Stale  of 
the  north,  coiitainiiifr  the  provincesof  ('hihiiahiia.  Diiraniro.and  New  Mex- 
ico; .Mexico;  IMichoacan,  Oajaca,  I'uehla  de  los  .Viicreles,  Qiicretaro,  San 
liiiis  I'otosi,  New  Sanlander,  called  also 'J'siniaulipas,  'J'ahasco,  I^scala, 
Vera  Cruz,  Jali.sco,  Yucatan,  and  Zacalecas.  The  Californias  and  the 
district  of  Coluira,  (except  the  town  of  Fouiiela,  which  remains  annexed 
to  Jalisco,)  will  for  the  present  he  territories  of  the  federation,  and  direct- 
ly siihject  to  its  supreme  powc. 

Dated  Mexico,  January  31,  IS24. 

JoitN  Gazkna!!. 

Pape  380.    The  Federal  CoiiRtiiiifion  of  the  United  Mexican  States, 
sanctioned  the  fJeneral  Constituent  Congress  ontlie4tli  of  October,  1824. 
—388,  Title  11.    Only  section. 
G 


'^ 


^ 

•^ 


'-1 


0^ 

N.       1 


Rii  iiiSTonv    oj-    J  Ji  >. 

rcniaindor  <^f"  tlif  Mcxifaii  ]»i"viu«i»*.  ^%fri-r  thft 
crs-ion  of 'l\'\iUH  to  Spain,  it  wa-  wlJ  wAWlM'^orxl  hy 
statesmen  and  iiitelliL.'<nt  men  of  .-vttin  jirf^ntfy.  that 
till'  ucstt'i'ii  l)oiiii(lai'y  ol'  that  <uuii1i»-^  i«iM\*i>ftiK^il  to 
\>ii  the  Rio  (Irainlt'r   at  all  »\«ut«.,  J&,n»- *  (t/,»|Hi<l«^r- 


Akt.  1.  'I'lic  Moxicim  iiiitioii  ii<lo|it/*  !i>r  tU\'  U)*\\i  .^f  iiu  ^;«)i<>m- 
mcnt  n  ixiiiiilar,  rcprcsPiitativ.'.  .iii'l  li-iltTiil  ri'iiiililn 

AiiT.  5.  Tilt!  inii-itiliiciil  |)arli  ol  tlir  lidiMiiUiic  (»«<  'Mi'  I'ullmvin? 
Stiiii'!"  niid  Torritorii's.  viz. :  Tin' Stales  dl  ('liiH|Mu-.'<'!|ilUmlifm.  fivijiiiil!!, 
:in(l  Texas.  MiiraiiTo.  tiniuiajiiiiVi.  Aii^elfi'.  <i,(H«»HUiu  -*»«(  ^^i|u  |>i)fr»i. 
."^((iKira  and  Siiriloa.  Talia-c-ii.  'J'allla^l^pa^  \'crii«Vii/  (l.ilui'n  Ynottan, 
111(1  /acafpcas  ;  llic  TiTrilnni's  ol  l'|i|x'r  (,'aliliHit(,i  !l/v«vif  f'llii'nriiiii. 
I'l.limn,  aii'l  iSan'n  F. ,  (!■•  .\iic\n  Mexico.  A  <A'tufU\H?iMt)rt  law  will  lix 
tlie  rlmmc.ter  of  Tlasnila. 

Dated  llli  nfOrtoln'r.  18JI,  fourtli  yonr  iff  (ndflpftriliOJW  ifiiK*  .if  ii- 
Unly,  and  .seeimd  nl  mnlederutioii. 

I,UU!<  and  Drcrees  of  llw  Siali-  uf  (''nlhv.ii¥Mti1l  It^'^i^. 
liy.i  i:i:i:  no.  i. 
The  Torrilory  u'liie  Statu  .-liall  U-  lliaf  ruiAi^u^Mtl  .|U  IMk  (irnvmces, 
niitil  the  present  time.     Aiii,'u.>t  15,  lHi4. 

•I'Jil.      IiKeuKK    NO.    i'i. 

Art.  1.  In  lliat  pari  irl  iliis  Knite  known  lu-  tl»»  iH^w^irti**  ^i' Tews, 
a  |H)liti(al  uiithority  s'liall  Im'  pn>vi.>i(inal!y  iiMt4iblmU«l.  ^V'fH  '  ChW  of 
l)e|iartnienlof  Te.\as."     Kehriiary  1,  l«aj». 

.Mr.  >radison  cay.-",  Jainiary  HI.  l>iOJ.  to  Mr.  |l.,iVMi}^ti.  '  \V  ili  re- 
sjioet  to  the  western  extent  i.f  l/niisiiHiii.  Mr  i<HUnn*»'  ijitlif  ,  lnnir  inirp 
more  satisfarlory.  lie  (■(insidercd  the  Rio  Bran..  \tr  i)h\  SSm^o.  :,j  tar  n« 
the  thirtietlideijree  of  iiorlli  latitiuli'.  .is  il>  Inie  UtlinlSiHj^  .\fl  tliat  side." — 
Fiirrii;n  liclnlimis,  pajje  574. 

*  '■  Texa  i  is  hoMiided  soiitlie.isl  liy  the  (jnlf  «f  Mej{i««'/-  \iW<if  hrtd  sniifli- 
west  liy  the  Rio  del  Norte." — lW.vr>  Uni^niiiluHAil  f/fi'inn-t'-ii.  edition 
1821. 

•' Te.xas,  province  of  .Me.\ii".  Ixjundod  soutlnviM'  l^ii  :Hfl  (tio  firando 
lei  Norte." — Hmoks's  Vnhrmil  Uazeltejr,  odilioti  tl*jJtS. 

"Texas  elainied  by  Sjiain  uh  u  part  tif  the  iiitixitu)'  [)tvvvii\eeu,  and 
honndod  west  liy  the  Dei  .Norte,"  &.c. —  Herein,:,  c  </(/wi.v.'.  H'XJ. 

'•Texas,    province   of   .Mexico,  in   the    loriiiw  j)mt»trtP,i(Vl    iniernrm, 


JOI,  K      A  r»MI  XISTIIATION. 


' 


uMf  <li>l;iiii  ••  iij»  that  -.tn-ai'i.*''  It  ("luiiot  Itc  dchied 
then,  tliat  tin;  'I'lXiM  wliirli  iMTiiiiu,'  a  pur'ty  to  tlie 
(•«»iiij)a(  t  fij"  Jh:;|,  wju*  tin- TcxitH  wliicli  uas  a<ijuii'('(l 
lioiii  Fraiiri'  in  |n(>,",, uml  v.liidi  was  ct'dcd  to  S])aiii 
ill  lh\'.K  'I'lii-  ll'u)  (riiiridc  was  rciiai'dt'd  a-  the 
western  \nttmi\iivy  nf  'IVxas,  not  only  Ity  wcH-in- 
foinifd  jM'i'MMi-  in  this  ((.nntry,  bnt  was  not  din- 
jditcd  I.y  th<'  .M<-xiraii  authoritifs. 

No  ciaini  had  In-rn  nuuh'  \>y  the  (rovenunent  of 
Mexico,  </!■  I>y  any  of  her  military  chirftaiiis  to  tlie 
Niici'c^  nh  fh<;  fastcni  hniiiidary  of  thi-  Mexican 
lielilddie  J»re\ioin  to  the  hattle  of  I'ulo  Alto.  lu 
their  jtroniineianient^H  they  hav  deinatided  the 
v^aliin*'  III-  the  Koijudary  of  tlieii'  possession-,  'liny 
lia\c  claimed  "the  whole  or  none."  And  whenever 
they  have  ;^iven  any  evidenei;  of  l»einy  weaiied  of 
the  attempt  to  re-eornpier  Texas,  they  have  indi- 
cated tile  liio  I>e|  Nolle  as  the  extent  of  tlieii- 
aacrifiee.f     In  ]>^-2\  a  large  party  of  American  citi- 

Ixiiiiiili'i)  Miulhweol  by  th*"  Rio  OrniiHc  tlrl  NurtP. — Diirhi/'s  GmrJiivr, 
cflitioii  I8i7. 

"Ti'XJii'.  |iri)vlitr'- of  Mcxiro  in  \Uo  furrru'r  intiTiiul  prdviiiro-i.  i-*  Itoiini!- 
ed  ciiiilliwi'^t  !))■  tic  Ki'i  («r/iti/|iv'" — fhinniHirt's  (invUfr,  rdiliun  ISSJ. 

Ill  liii*  Ifili'r  I'l  Aifiid  V.  Br'ivvn.  (iciicral  .Iiicksoii  says' :  "  Ri'iii'MiiImt 
nUo,  that  ifTf'x;i»  I*'  Jinivifl  U<  tlm  I' niimi  Stat  <>.■<,  our  western  lH)un(l!iry 
\V(inl<l  In'  llx'  Iti')  iU'wU',  v,liirh  \*  ilsi-lf  n  fortillriitjon,  i>n  accinint  nf  Its 
cxtrnsiv  i>iiir<'!i  .kuI  iir»f  iiltival«vl  (il.iiiis." 

'• 'I'lic  ri'iit  T<'Ji.i»  wliirli  w  ncf|ilirc(l  hy  tlii'  trraly  of  180:?,  and 
fliiii;  away  by  llc'iri-aly  (,f  I'll!!,  nf vrr  afipmachod  tlio  Rio  (irandi', ex- 
cept ni-aritx  tn-nilli,"  Uf. 

*  A^airi :  "I  ilmw  a  'rrfiarl  line  of  distinclion  I)e!\veeii  the  I'rovinre 
of  '; .  x.i«  ati'l  the  llc()td.,:f  of  'I'ejtai.  T\v  |)nivin('i>  laid  iiiM  ween  the 
><aljin"  aiiii  I'le  lnwer  Ki/idel  Snrfe,  and  between  the  (Jnlf  of  M'xidi  and 
the  Red  Rivr.  Tfc  npublir  nf  Texas  stretches  to  the  whole  extent  of 
the  left  haiikorili"  Uiodel  NoTfe.  Of  tlic  two  Toxoaos,  I  go  for  the  reco- 
very of  til"  old  l|l^l^." 

f  I'roelaiiiiili/m  of  Owwral  Adrian  Woll,  Juno  'JOIli,  1844.     Disi)atch 


-    ^"  .tv  V*^     *  1    . 


Si 


IIIHTOKY     OK     T  ir  K 


zens  formed  tin-  (Ictci'ininatioiiof  scttrmii'iipon  alai-j?*'' 
tract  of  land,  i;Taiit('(l  liy  Mexico  to  Moses  Austin. 
Tliey  wei'e  not  a  landess  hand  ol'  outlaws,  di'ter- 
mint'd  to  pltnidel-  ^lexico  ot'  liel-  tenitoi'y,  liut  wei-e 
InvittMJ  to  go  tliitlier.  The  .Mexieans,  lindiuLC  '^  '''^" 
eeeTliniily  inconvenient  to  contend  at^aiiist  the  wild 
and  de-i»erate  hands  of  Indians  who  were  continu- 
ally making  incursions  and  carrying  fire  and  slaugh- 
ter among  tlieir  (lefenceless  handets,  soiigl.t  the 
])i'otection  of  the  western  I'ille  against  theli'  terrilde 
foes,  and  when  they  had  formed  a  harrier  lietweeii 
the  Indians  and  Mexicans,  tlu^  latter  sought  to  dis- 
arm and  r<  uder  defenceless  those  \vh(»  had  geiiei'- 
ously  ]»roved  tlieii-  [)rotectors.  To  sid)mit  to  this 
cowardly  aggression  was  im]>ossil)le.  The  I'eniorse- 
less  hands  of  savages,  wlio  liung  like  a  daik  and 
tlireati'niiig  cloud  around  their  settlements,  were 
only  kept  aloof  l>y  the  dreaded  ritie  ;  and  if  the 
Toxans  had  heeu  disarmed,  the  tonuihawk  and 
scalping-kiiife  would  luive  carried  death  and  dis- 
may hito  every  dwelling  iu  Texiis.  i'.'si.stance  or 
indiscriminate  massacre  was  the  only  allei-native. 
That  Santa  Anna  had  resolved  npon  their  destruc- 
tion they  liad  no  reason  to  ihjuht.  Tlie  mendjers 
of  the  Legislature  of  ('oahnila  were  seized  and  im- 
prisoned for  merely  /^/'c/t*^/////  against  the  acts  of 
tlie  Central  Government.  In  this  state  of  excite- 
ment, surrounded  hy  dangers  upon  all  sides,  the 
Texans  elected  delegates  to  meet  in  conveutioji  at 

of  Genpral  Filisola,  Miiy  31  si,  1836.  Articles  of  agrnoment  sijrned  Mny 
14th.  1830,  by  Haiitii  Anna,(j('ii.  Filisola,  Don  Jose  Urea,  Don  Antonio 
Gallon,  anil  Don  .Tomliin  Rainvrea. 


IMIT,  K      A  I)  M  I  N  1ST  i:  A  T  I  i )  N 


85 


S:in  F(Ti|M'  ill  Octolter,  IS.'J').  Altout  tliis  tiiiu' 
(iciit'i'al  Cos,  with  !i  eoiisidci'iiltlc  Ixxly  of  troojis, 
frusst'cl  flic  Kio  (Jnui'.i',  ;iii(l  Icaviiii^  ti  jjortioii  of 
his  fitivcs  at  Li]);iiititlaii,  oii  the  west  side  of  the 
Xiici'cs,  and  at  (loliad,  marched  with  his  main  foirc 
to  Sail  Antonio.  And  wiiilc  tlie  (h-lciratcs  \\*\v 
(juictly  asscinblini.'',  (Jencral  Cos  sent  a  hody  of  two 
hundred  cavalry  to  (Joiizaies,  a  small  town  in  the 
neia'hl'orhood  of  that  j)lace,  and  deiiiandeil  of  the 
citizens  tht;  surrender  of  a  small  cannon  which  they 
used  as  a  defence  against  the  Indians.  Their  re|ily 
was  i.i-raj)e  and  canister,  and  thus  tiie  Texas  levo- 
lution  c.imiiieiiceil.  'I'he  news  of  this  collision  at 
once  amused  the  people  of  Texas  to  the  defence  of 
their  home-;.  They  shouldered  their  ritle<  and  hur- 
rie(l  to  the  scene  of  contest.  They  rallicii  from 
Itotli  ^ides  of  the  N'lieees,  and  from  tl  liaiiks  of 
the  Kio  (Jraiidf.  In  a  few  da\  •<  (ioliad  and  liipaii- 
tithui  had  fallen  into  their  possession.  Tlii'  conven- 
tion which  had  assemhh'd  at  San  i'rlipe  i>sued  a 
(h'chiratioii  a,i;'ain>t  the  Central  (Jovernmeiit,  and 
declared  in  favor  of  the  Constitution  of  I.sl'I.  He- 
tfrmiiied  that  not  a  .Mexican  soldier  should  degrade 
the  soil  of  Texas,  they  concentrated  their  foives 
around  San  Antonio  and  forced  (Ji'iieral  Cos  to 
suricnder.  Anioni:;  the  nunilier  who  hfr  their  th'e- 
sides  to  drive  from  the  province  the  Mexican  inva- 
ders, a>  I  have  .already  sta1e(l,  weif  persons  who 
ic^i(h'il  Ix'tweeli  the  Xneces  and  the  Kio  (iiiinde. 
Ill  tlu'  moment  of  peril  they  Li'aliantly  shared  the 
iLiiiirers  which  threatened  all  I  In  the  hour  of  tii- 
1  I iiph  gratitude  was  not  forgotten;  they  were  iKtt 


8G 


II  I  sTii  i:  V    ()  F    T  u  i: 


tlu'  iiit'U  liascly  to  tlisi'c^.'ird  tlic  iuteicsts  of  tliaf 
jiortioii  ot"  the  jK'oj)le  of  Tcxns,  Many  of  tlictii  fell 
iliiriiii;'  tin-  stni^gli.'.  The  rii^'lits  of  the  widow  and 
oijilian  li;i\i'  lii'i'U  asscrti'd,  and  to  tin-  honor  of  the 
'J'c'Xas  nation  Iti;  it  said,  that  tlicy  wonld  havii  haz- 
arded tlu'ir  national  existence  in  tlie  (h-lenee  of  her 
citizens  residing'  in  eNcry  portion  of  her  (h)iiiinions. 
Hy  the  terms  id"  tlie  capitulation  of  (ieiieral  Cos, 
the  iiL;hts  of  those  eiti/.ens  were  <;iiaranteed. 

Tims  ended  the  lirst  conflict  hetween  the  ]\Iexi- 
cans  and  tiie  ])eo|)h!  of  Texas.  Not  only  ilid  they 
m;iuife>t  a  determination  to  resist  all  attempts  to 
siitijugate  them,  hut  the  result  jiroved  their  a!>ility 
to  (h)  so.  'j'he  terms  of  the  cajiitulation  of  (Jen. 
Cos,  estalilishes  the  lirst  link  in  tlie  revohitiouary 
chain  of  title  of  Texas  to  the  Jlio  (irande,  as  lier 
western  Ixiundury.* 

(renerul  Cos,  with  his  soldiers  and  convicts,  re- 
crossed  the  Kio  (iranih'.  T"  this  date,  then,  al- 
thoni,di  as<ailed  without  any  justification  wliaicver, 
liy  those  wiio  sliouhl  have  Iieen  actuated  hy  feelings 
of  gratitudi',  the  Tt'xans  exhiliited  a  (h'termination 

*  "  Ciipituhitlon  I'nternI  into  l"J  (ianral  Mtirlin  I'rrfirh  l)i  I  'i}!i.  tif  llir  itrrma- 
nent  Iroups,  and  (hncrnl  hUhrard  Hiirltaun,  oj  lite  <  'olonial  'I'niiii  .  tjf  '{'eras. 
JJvIng  desirous  of  jirafniiii;]  Ike  further  rjl'iisivii  of  hlimd,  and  tlie  racagta 
of  civil  tear,  we  hare  agreed  on  thefolloicine  ftijndations  ; 

"1st.  That  Goiipral  Cos  nnd  his  otVicorrf  rofiri'  with  thoir  arms  iinil 
])rivato  projior'y  into  the  interior  oi  tlio  ro|mliiic,  midpr  parolo  of  lionor 
that  tlii\v  ivill  not  ill  any  way  oppose  the  cstabiishnient  of  the  Federal 
f'oiislilriticii  of  IH-Jl."' 

"  3d.  '1  !(at  llio(ieneral  take  the  convirts  lately  hroufihl  In  hy  Colonel 
Ugnrtnchea,  heyond  ihn  liver  Hin  (Jrando." 

"  14tli.  (leiural  llnrieson  will  fnrnish  (ieneral  Cos  vvilh  such  provi- 
sions as  ean  lie  ohtained.  necessary  for  his  troops  to  the  Kio  (Irando.  at 
the  ordinary  ^vrice  of  tlie  country." 


1'.>LK     A  DM  I  NIST  i:  A  r  III  N.  Hi 

ti)  .'idlicro  t(i  I'lio  (■(Histitiitinii  of  lsi*4.  KcjiitiI  iin- 
(K'l  tlii-  lii'iicfift'ut  iustitiitioiis  (if  the  I'nitrd  States, 
tlify  were  uttiiclKMl  to  tlu;  lilifi-al  j)iiiici|ilt-;  \\  liirli 
tlic  coiislitiitioii  of  l,Si.*4  guar:iiit('('(l.  They  \v<  re 
williiii^  to  f^liftl  tlu'ir  hlood  in  its  (li-fciicc.  I  Jut 
Siiiitii  Anna  as  rcsoliitcly  jircjiarcil  to  ciiforcc  tlicii 
olicdicmr  to  his  dfs[)otic  will,  lie  ^'atlu'i'cd  a  laru'c 
and  well  aj)j)ointi'<l  anuy,  rcsulvod  to  siilidiic  the 
spirit  of  tlu;  IVxiins,  or  ravage  tlicir  cinmtry  with 
Krc  and  sword.  All  Mcxicti  lay  jirosti'atc  at  hi- 
foct.  Xo  Voice  Wiis  raised  in  the  <lefenee  of  consti- 
tutional lilierty;  and  it  was  left  for  tli^' '^'allant  little 
liaiid  of  Texan  heroes  to  liattle  alone  with  the  f<ir- 
ees  of  the  usurper.  It  was  then  that  a  coiiNcntinii 
was  called  in  haste,  and  a  declaration  of  independ- 
ence was  issued,*  and  apjiealing  to  the  (i<id   of  liat- 


♦  "  It  has  tlissolvcil,  liy  lurce  nl  anus,  llio  Stato  ( 'diiijres,-:  of  Coliiiila 
mill  Ti'xas,  iiiid  iihlificd  <mr  ropri'sctilaliveH  to  My  for  llu'ir  livi's  ('ri>iii  llit: 
spRt  of  <«ivi'rniii(iit ;  tlms  dopriviiiji  us  of  tlio  fiimlaiiuMitiil  political  ri^'lit 
of  roprr  .  nlntion. 

"  It  liuK  diMiiiindcd  the  siirrendnr  of  a  iiimilici'  nf  our  cilizi'iis.  ami  or- 
dered iiiili'"^v  di'liiiliiiienl.-i  to  sri/o  and  carry  them  into  the  interior  for 
trial,  in  <  nntcnipt  ol  the  civil  nuthorilies,  and  in  deliancc  of  the  laws  ami 
the  constitution. 

"  It  denies  \i:i  the  rij;ht  of  worsliippini;  the  Aliiiiirhty  acennlinfr  to  the 
dictates  of  our  own  coiiM'ience,  liv  the  sii|i|iort  of  a  iialioniil  relijiion,  cal- 
cuhitfd  to  pronioti.'  the  leinponil  iniiTestof  ils  human  functionaries,  rather 
than  III''  ^loryof  t.M'true  and  living; (ic)d. 

'•  It  has  deiniiiid>-<l  us  to  deliver  up  our  arms,  which  are  essential  to  our 
defeni-e — the  rijihlfiil  property  of  freemen,  and  formiilalile  only  to  tyran- 
nical irovernmenls. 

"  It  has  invaded  our  country  hoth  hy  sea  and  hy  'and,  with  the  intent  to 
Iny  waste  our  territory  and  drive  us  trom  nur  honi's  ;  and  has  now  a  large 
iiiercenary  army  advaiicinj;  to  carry  on  ai;ainst  us  a  war  of  extermination. 

"  It  has.  throu<;h  its  emissaries,  incited  tln'  merciless  sava^'.  with  tlio 
tomahawk  and  scalping  Iviiife,  to  massacre  the  inhabitants  of  our  deferice- 
lesrf  frontiers," — Tfxan  Dniarathm  nf  Imlepentknrv,  March  2il,  1836. 


88 


ir  rsTo  It  Y 


IliO 


tlos  tor  the  justice  of  their  cause,  tlicy  prepared  fur 
tlie  ciiiifliet.  'Die  first  Llootl  wliicli  \\;isslie<l  in  tllis 
stni!^;i;'Ie,  watei'ed  the  territ<iry  liet\V(!eii  tlie  Xiit-ees 
find  the  Hio  (Ji'aiKh'.  'J'lie  Alamo  was  snri'ouiided 
l>y  W,0(K»  .Mexicans,  and  the  tort  was  only  takiMi 
after  a  tei'riMe  striitrii'le,  ni  niiich  eveiy  one  of  its 
dffcnilcrs  perished.  This  victoiy  vas  won  l>y  the 
Mexicans  at  a  dreadful  sacrilice  of  life.  The  Te.v- 
ans  wei'e  armed  with  the  nnich  di'caded  rifle,  whidi 
produc«'d  dreadfid  havoc  in  the  ranks  of  theii' fuos. 
Colonel  Kamiinir,  unable  to  di'fcnd  (ioliad,  accej)ted 
terms  of  ca|iitidation  which  Lruaranteed  the  lives  of 
his  command.  These  stipulations  wciv  violated  l»y 
Santa  Anna,  who  ordered  aliont  four  hundre(l  ]>ri- 
soners  to  he  shot ;  an  act  of  cold-hlooded  1»arl)arity 
which  for  all  time  will  place  the  seal  of  infamy  upon 
his  chai'at'ter. 

The  liands  of  Santa  Amia  swept  like  the  hescmi 
of  destruction  across  that  portion  of  Texas  lyins^ 
west  of  the  Nueces.  Nearly  all  of  thr  male  inha- 
hitants  in  that  ])art  of  the  country  found  hloody 
l)ut  honoralile  irraves.  The  ^lexican  army  contin- 
ued ra]>idly  to  advance,  s])readinLr  tii'e  and  devasta- 
tion hi  their  tei'riliK^  cai'eer,  until  Santa  Anna  wjvb 
encountered  ui)on  the  l)attle  field  of  San  Jacinto  l»y 
780  Texans  on  the  21st  of  April,  IS.'U;,  and  after 
a  short  hut  desperate  conflict,  was  defeate(l  and  ta- 
ken ])risoner.  The  punishment  which  he  deserved 
was  death.  He  ha<l  violently  overturned  the  con- 
stitution of  his  country,  and  sou/^ht  at  the  ])oint  of 
the  bayonet,  to  sul  ijuirate  a  i)eople  who  had  pr<)teeted 
the  Mexicans  against  the   in'^oads  of  the  savages. 


t 


II 


d» 


' 


ii 


4^ 


IM)  I,  K      A  1)  M  I  N  I  ST  i:  A  r  I  n  v. 


SO 


lie  lia  1  ciiiKliictcil  till'  (•■'litest  as  (inly  a  savaj^o 
could  ]»(•  caiialilc  lie  liad  (lisrci;ai(l('(|  tlic  rules 
Ity  which  civili/.eij  nations  are  ltonci'ikmI,  and  niiiider 
!Uid  indisi'iiniinate  slaiiuhlci'  mailed  his  [uoiiress. 
But  the  Texans  not  only  wielded  their  Lilitteiiiii^ 
Llades  l||)oll  the  Held  of  liattle  with  tenilile  ellect, 
liut  eoidd  treat  witii  hiiiiianity  a  jirostrate  foe.  A 
treaty  was  cntt-red  into  with  Santa  Anna,  li'th  of 
May,   IH'M).'-^     IJy  the  terms  of  this   tn'aty  Texas 

♦  "  Arli'-lrs  (if  aprrcvient  mid  milniin  rimijiail  mmie  timl  ailopUil  hij  Ihiriil  (i. 
linrnttt,  Prinuiciil  of  the  lit imhlif  iij  'i\j:ii9,tinil  tin-  uiiiliisii'iiti/^  incinhtrs 
of  the  i-ahiiitt  thcrtiif  on  the  om  part,  iinti  Pun  Anfiinio  huprz  hi  S'liitti 
Aoihi,  I'rfsiilttit  iif  llir  Iti imlilii-  iif  Me.riro,  and  Dan  \'inciulr  h'ilimla,  I'nic- 
ral  nf  (lirLtian,  Dan  Jane  I'rea,  Don  Joarliin  llamijrcx  Y  Sitma,  and  Doll 
Antonio  (taona,  ytnci'aU  of  briyadi'S  t^f  tlic  anniin  aj  AUxifO. 

'■  1st.  Tliiit  llic  nniiifs  (if  Mi'xicii  sliiill,  willi  nil  priKiical  t'.\)ic(lilioii, 
cvucimto  llie  t(»rritory  ol'  'JVxas,  mid  rolire  In  .M(iiit(>roy,  licyoiid  the  Kio 
Grando." 

"  3d.  That  llic  army  of  'I'cxas  am  lo  iiiarcli  wi'slwiinlly.  and  Id  iii(ii|iy 
siirh  prists  a-;  llic  ('11111111(111111111.'  ;r''ii''ral  may  tliiiik  prii|M'r  (in  iIh-  (■.■i>I  s|d(! 
of  llir-  Kid  (iraiidc,  or  Kin  Uravd  did  Ncirtc." 

•■  6tli.  Tlml  llif  fdlluwiiig  be,  am!  the  same  arc  liLTidiy,  cstalili-liiil  and 
mode  the  lliicti  of  (kMnnrkatioii  lx>tween  the  two  Rp|inl)lics  of  Mexico  and 
Toxas,  to  wit :  The  liiK^  shall  ciumiiPiiri^  at  tlic  csliiary  or  iikhiiIi  of  tlio 
Hio  (iralidc,  on  the  wi'stcrii  bank  lliiTi'df.  and  shall  p'lrsiic  the  same  bank 
up  the  said  river,  to  the  point  where  the  river  assumes  the  name  of  Itio 
Kravo  Del  Norte;  from  which  point  it  shall  proceed  on  the  same  western 
bank  to  the  head  water.'!,  or  source  of  said  river,  it  beiiinr  understood  that 
tlic  terms  Rio  (iriinde  and  Rio  Bravo  I)(d  Norte  apply  to  and  desiiriiato 
one  and  the  same  stream.  From  the  source  of  said  river,  the  principal 
head  branch  beiiij;  taken  to  ascertain  that  source,  a  due  north  line  shall  Iw 
run  until  it  shall  intersect  the  hdundary  line  establislied  and  describeij  in 
the  treaty  neirotiated  by  and  between  the  Government  of  Spain  and  the 
Government  of  the  United  iStafcs  of  the  north ;  which  line  was  siibso- 
qiienlly  transferred  to  and  adopted  in  the  treaty  of  the  limits  made  be- 
tween the  (iovernmenl  of  Mexico  and  that  of  the  United  iStates ;  and 
from  this  point  of  iiiter.--ectioii  tlie  line  shall  be  the  same  as  was  made  and 
established  in  and  by  the  several  treaties  above  mentioned,  to  continue  to 
the  mouth  or  outlet  of  the  Sabine  river,  and  from  thence  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico. 


■PS 


M 
A 


X 


90 


ItlSTOUY     OK     THE 


was  to  l»c  ev.aouati'tl,  and  the  Ku)  Griuule  was  to  be 
estalilislu-d  as  tlie  houiulary  liiif  )»t't\vccn  the  two 
rcimltlifs.  This  is  the  sei-oud  link  in  tlu!  r«'Vohi- 
tionary  chain  oi'  titki  Avliich  'rcxas  won  to  that 
rivci'.  1  kiKtwithas  been  asst'ittnl  that  Santa  Anna 
lu'ins,'  at  tliat  time  a  prisoner,  all  stipnlations  wliieh 
he  iniyht  agree  to,  were  void.  This  objc^ction  seems 
moic  to  he  relied  npon  by  certain  American  ]\b'm- 
bers  of  Congress  than  by  thi'  Mexicans  themselves. 

Santa  Anna  commenced  the  wai',  and  it  is  a 
principle  of  the  law  of  nations  that  ho  had  the  right 
to  terminate  it  *  The  fact  that  ho  was  a  usurper 
does  not  atVect  the  princi]>le.f 

The  only  ([uestion  to  be  in([uire(l  into  is,  did  ho 
act  coliniUirih/.  There  is  abundant  evidence  to 
prove  that  ho  did.J     If  the  law  of  uatious  was 


'•  fitli.  The  rclraso  of  the  President  Santa  Anna  shall  ho  made  iinine- 
diately  on  receiving  the  t-ii|uatiircs  of  the  (Jeiieral.s  Don  Viciito  Filisola, 
Don  Jose  Urea,  Don  Joachin  Raniyres  Y  Scsina,  and  Don  Antonio  (iaona, 
to  this  Hirreenient,  and  liis  conveyance  to  Vera  Criiz  as  noon  afterwards  as 
may  he  cunveniiiit." 

*  " 'J'ho  .suiie  power  who  has  the  rij^ht  of  niakinj;  war,  of  deterininini; 
on  it,  of  declaring  it,  and  of  directing  its  O|)erations,  lias  naturally  that 
likewise  of  making  and  concluding  a  treaty  of  peace." — Vatlcl,  p.  i'i'l, 

f  "  Other  states,  as  having  no  right  to  interfere  with  tiio  domestic 
concerns  of  tliat  nation,  or  to  interfere  in  her  government,  are  hound  to 
ahide  liy  iier  derisions,  and  to  look  no  further  than  the  circumstances  of 
actual  |)o.-scssion.  They  may,  tiierefore,  hroacli  and  conclude  a  treaty  of 
peace  with  the  usurper." — Vatlel,  p.  43G. 

X  '•  When  I  ofTered  to  treat  with  this  Government  (Texas),  I  was 
convinced  that  it  was  useless  for  Mexico  to  continue  the  war.  I  have 
acquired  exact  information  respecting  the  country  which  I  did  not  possess 
four  months  ago.  1  have  too  m.icli  zeal  for  the  interests  of  my  country 
to  wish  for  any  thing  which  is  not  compatible  with  them.  Being  always 
ready  to  sacrifice  myself  for  its  glory  and  advantage,  I  ever  would  have 
hesitated  to  subject  myself  to  torments  of  death  rather  than  consent  to  any 


POLK      A  n  Jl  J  M  S  I'  i:  A  'I'  I  ()  M  . 


91 


(lifl'cront  it  wculd  lead  to  the  iiiDst  disLst rolls  am- 
HtMiiU'iu'fs.  Ill  tliiit  event,  ('xteriuiimtiiij,'  wur  inl^dit 
Le  the  result.  Siipjiose  all  the  iiieiiihers  eoiiijtosiiig 
the  (luvei'llliielit  at  Washington,  slioiild  l»e  takili 
]iiisoners  hy  an  invadini,' toe.  It"  they  iiad  no  pt.wer 
to  make  a  hindini,'  treaty,  peaee  wouM  never  In; 
made,  and  a  perpetual  war  would  l)e  the  eonse- 
•  lUenee.  If  General  Scott  had  eaptumd  tiie  M(\\i- 
ean  autliorities  when  he  took  pos>exsion  of  the  eity 
of  .Mexieo,  will  any  on«;  ass(!rt  that  they  would  not 
have  had  the  power  to  make  a  peace  i  If  not,  Mex- 
ico inw-<t  have  remained  a  sulijugated  province  of 
this  country.  Hut  again,  to  ])ut  a  strougi-r  case: 
suppose  an  ahsolute  monarch  should  fall  into  the 
hands  of  his  foes,  unless  he  could  njake  a  ti'eaty, 
tlie  contest  would  he  pi'otractcd  for  years.  L'ntil 
mankind  become  as  remorseless  and  savage  as 
Leasts  of  prey,  no  such  sanguinary  rules  could  In; 
ndoj)ted  for  the  governuK'nt  of  nations.  The  Tex- 
ans  complied  faithfully  with  all  the  articles  which 
the  treaty  contained.  The  ^Mexicans  availed  them- 
selves of  all  the  advantages  Avhich  i-esulted  from  it. 
They  not  only  in  that  Avay  ratified  the  treaty,  but 


•  * 


1  ompromis',  if  Moxicn  conltl  tlicroby  obtain  tiie  slijThtost  benefit.  I  nm 
fii;:ily  conviiicrd  timt  it  is  proper  lo  terinlniito  lliis  iiiioption  by  political 
neg;!'i:ito'!." — Ijiller  if  Sanlu  Aium,  .July  Mh,  183(). 

••  His  Kxcellency,  (Santa  Ainia,)  in  my  Inunblo  opinion,  in  the  treaties 
njireed  upon,  and  lliat  I  liad  llie  liminr  lo  .>i('nd  to  your  Kxccllencv,  acted 
vvllli  enlire  liliiTly,  and  liad  noljiinif  more  in  view  tlian  t!ie  interest  oi  jiia 
coinitry." — Dispnich  of  (lonrral  FUhnla,  Jiiw  hilh,  ISIjti. 

"  I  do  not  mention  otlier  reasons,  perhaps  more  ronvinciiifr.  and.  in 
fine,  I  thinii  I  have  .saved  the  wliole  army  I'roni  a  di.sn.ster,  and  tlu'  national 
decorum  I'rom  a  po.sitive  dlsirrace." — Dhpatch  nf  (li;mral  Filinola,  May 

SlSt,  IboG. 


lust*  Airr.a#'»l«."7. 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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iiMM 


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IIM 

L25  ii.4  111.6 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Qffporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


A 


92 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


tlie  President  7>;'o  tem.  of  the  ^Mexican  Kepuljlic, 
during  tlie  al)sence  of  Santa  Anna,  exj»rc's?»]y  autlio- 
rized  any  act  wliicli  would  r<'k'a.s6  tlie  P]<.-sident 
fi'oni  captivity,  and  relieve  the  Mexican  forces  in 
Texas  from  the  imminent  peril  Avhicli  ^urnMinded 
thein.  This  was  done  in  a  dispatcli  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  and  Marhie  on  the  15th  <jf  May,  1836, 
addressed  to  Geuei'al  Filisola*     N<jt  only  was  ex- 


"  Secretary's  Office  uf  War  and  Marine,  ) 
Central  Section,  First  Bureau.  ^ 

*  "  Excellent  Sir :  VVitii  the  most  profoiiiiiJ  norrow,  liiti  Excellency, 
the  President  pro  /"m.,  has  leurned,  by  the  oiTi^-ia!  letter  of  your  KxceU 
lency  of  the  25lh  ot  last  month,  the  defeat  Kufl'crcd  on  the  •Jlj't  of  the 
same  month,  by  the  division  commanded  in  person  by  the  I'rc!<ident  (ien- 
eral-in-chief  of  the  army,  (Santa  Anna,)  and  the  very  lamentable  misfor- 
tune that  his  Excellency  should  be  made  prisoner  with  other  chiefs  and 
officers. 

"  His  Excellency,  the  President  pro  tem.,  is  in  Rome  measure  con- 
soled that  u  general  so  experienced  as  your  Excellency  should  be  the  one 
who  obtains  the  command,  the  which  he  expressly  cnifinns. 

"  The  first  desire  that  his  Excellency  has,  is  that  you  address  the 
enemy's  general,  exacting  from  him,  by  decorous  means,  tlie  liU-rty  of  the 
President  General-in-chief,  or  at  least  during  the  time  this  [wint  can  be 
regulated,  the  consideration  due  to  his  high  dignity,  and  to  a  person  so 
distinguished  in  the  annals  of  American  history,  and  for  whose  preserva- 
tion the  entire  nation  is  interested  by  gratitude,  and  fxjcausc  he  is  chief 
of  it. 

"  His  Excellency,  the  President  pro  tem.,  counts  upon  your  Excel- 
lency's directing  all  your  efforts  to  save  the  remainder  of  the  anny,  by 
concentrating  it  so  as  to  render  it  more  respectable,  pLicing  it  in  a  con- 
venient place  for  receiving  provisions,  for  which  the  most  efficacious 
measures  are  adopted.  The  preservation  of  Bexar  is  of  atisolute  neces- 
sity, in  order  that  the  Government,  according  to  circumstances,  may  act 
as  they  see  fit. 

"  The  fate  of  all  the  prisoners  is  very  interesting  to  the  nation,  and  it 
is  recommended  to  your  Excellency  to  endeavor  to  alleviate  it,  giving 
authority  from  this  moment  to  propose  exchanges,  and  t/i  preserve  for  this 
purpose,  and  because  hunmnity  exacts  it,  the  lives  of  the  prisoiifrs  made 
and  that  may  be  made  from  the  enemy.     Your  Excellency  knows  the 


! 


"fBPWW 


POLK     ADJIINISTEATION. 


93 


press  aiitliority  granted  Ly  tlie  Government  ad  i'mr 
terim^  in  addition  to  the  voluntary  act  of  Santa 
Anna,  but  lie  obtained  thereby  the  i-elease  of  him- 
self and  his  army.  All  the  advantages  resulting 
from  the  treaty  were  reaped  hy  the  Mexicans,  and 
surely  there  is  no  reasoning  Ixised  upon  morality, 
which  could  excuse  a  repudiation  of  what  had  been 
so  solemnly  agreed  upon.  No  poi-tion  of  the  spirit 
which  actuated  the  noble  Homan  Avho  returned  to 
his  foes,  after  having  advised  a  rejection  of  the 
terms  offered  by  the  Carthagenians,  can  dwell  in 
the  bosom  of  tliat  man,  be  he  Mexican  or  Ameri- 
can, who  can  justify  the  faithless  conduct  of  the 
Mexican  authorities. 

Since  the  Ijattle  of  San  Jacinto  was  fought, 
there  have  been  several  incidental  recognitions  by 
the  Mexican  chiefs,  of  the  Rio  Grande  as  the  l)Oun- 
dary  between  the  two  counti-ies.*  After  General 
Filisola  had  Avithdra^^^l  beyond  the  Rio  Grande ; 
General  Felix  Houston,  with  a  body  of  Texans, 
took,  and  kept  possession  of  the  east  bank  of  that 
river.  Tlie  garrison  of  Loredo,  which  had  been 
maintained  for  years,  Avas  also  Antlidrawn  beyond 
the  Rio  Grande,  and  the  whole  territory  was  left 

circumstances  which  may  result  from  an  imprudence  committed  in  this 
affair,  but  the  Government  fears  nothing  as  regards  this,  because  it  knows 
how  great  is  the  skill  and  zeal  of  your  Excellency  for  the  best  service  of 
tlie  country." 

*  3(1.  Every  individual  who  shall  Ix)  fo.ind  at  the  distance  of  one  leaguo 
from  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Bravo,  will  be  regarded  as  a  favorer  and 
accomplice  of  the  usurpers  of  that  part  of  the  national  territory,  and  us  a 
traitor  to  his  country,  and  after  a  summary  military  trial,  shall  tw  pun- 
ished as  such. 

Proclamation  of  Adrian  WoU,  Gen.  of  brigade,  1844. 


* 


WW 


^   h 


94 


n  I S  T  0  K  Y     OF     THE 


ill  tlio  possession  of  the  Texans,  Tlie  ti'iuniph  of  the 
}):itri()ts  was  complete,  and  tlie  terriljle  cliastisement 
iiillicted  upon  the  hivadev,  taught  him  to  treat  with 
respect  those  who  knew  so  well  how  to  defend  their 
rights.  It  is  not  easy  to  enslave  men  who  have  a 
just  appreciation  of  their  privileges,  and  possess 
the  courage  to  defend  them.  No  more  gallant  men 
ever  unfurled  their  hanners  to  the  hi-eeze,  than  the 
Texans  wlio  rallied  around  Houston  and  Kusk,  at 
the  hattle  of  San  Jacinto.  They  fought  Avith  the 
knowledge,  that  certain  death  followed  in  the  ])ath 
of  defeat,  yet  they  shrunk  not  from  tlie  trial,  and  so 
fearful  was  the  collisicm,  that  the  Mexican  heart 
was  apj)alled,  and  twice  only  during  the  eight  suc- 
ceednig  years,  did  a  IMexican  force  cross  the  Kio 
Grande,  and  then  only  to  he  driven  ignomiuiously 
hack.  Texas  emerged  from  the  contest  free  and 
unlependent.* 

*  "  Mexico  may  Imvo  chosen  to  consider,  and  mny  still  choose  to  con- 
sider Texas  as  liaving  been  at  nil  times  since  1835,  and  as  still  contiiiiiinfra 
rebellions  province  ;  but  tiin  world  has  been  ohliijed  to  fake  a  very  different 
view  of  the  matter.  From  the  time  of  the  battle  of  San  Jacinto,  in  April, 
1836,  to  the  present  moment,  Texas  has  exiiibited  the  same  external  sipis 
of  national  independence  as  Mexico  herself,  and  witii  quite  as  nuicli  stalii- 
lity  of  irovernment,  practically  free  and  independent,  acVnowledired  as  a 
political  soverciirnty  by  the  principal  powers  of  the  world  ;  no  hostile  foot 
finding  rest  within  her  territory  for  six  or  seven  years,  and  Mexico  iierself 
refniininn;  for  all  that  period  from  any  further  attempt  to  re-cst;d)lish  her 
own  iinthority  over  that  territory,  it  cannot  but  he  siirprisinjr  to  llnd  Mr. 
dp  TJoi'anpirra,  (tlio  Secretary  of  Forpij.ni  AtHiirs  of  Mexico,)  complaining, 
that  for  that  whole  peri(j<l,  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or  its  (iovorn- 
mcnt,  have  been  favorin;;  the  rebels  of  Texas,  and  supplying  them  \.ith 
vessels,  ammunition,  and  money,  as  if  the  war  for  the  reduction  of  the 
province  of  Texas  had  been  constantly  prosecuted  by  Rfexico,  and  her 
Riiccess  prevented  bytlieso  influences  from  abroad." — Mr.  Webster,  Secre- 
tary of  Stale,  July  S,1S42. 


''Wl 


"^pr 


POLK      ADAriXISTRATxJN. 


95 


Tlio  fK^ople  of  Texas  had  given  such  e\'i(lence 
of  tlit'ir  ability  to  maintain  their  independence  of 
^Mexico,  that  it  was  acknowk'dged,  not  only  li}'  the 
Unite<l  .States,  Imt  also  hy  several  of  the  principal 
powers  of  Eiiro[»e.  It  was  a  fact  Avell  known  to  the 
Government  and  people  of  the  United  States  pre- 
vif »us  t*^*  the  annexation  of  Texas  that  the  inhal  litants 
of  that  country  claimed  the  Rio  Grande  as  its 
western  >K>an«laiy.  Upon  all  occasions,  they  had 
given  eWdence  that  such  was  their  opinion.  There 
was  a  provision  in  the  constitution  of  Texas,  anthoi-iz- 
inir  a  repre-^-ntation  of  the  counties  of  Bexar  and  San 
Patiicio.  Tlie  first  Conu-ess  of  Texas  passed  an 
act,  extendintf  her  jui'Isdiction  over  the  country  to 
the  Iiio  Grande.*  An  act  was  also  passed  to  incoi-po- 
rate  the  Te.vas  railroad,  navigation,  and  hanking 
company,  ^t-itli  the  right  of  connecting  the  Avutei's 
of  the  Kio  Grande  T^nth  the  Gulf,  hy  means  of  in- 
ternal naxigation-t  An  act  to  raise  revenue  l>y 
univ»st  dutir-s,  was  also  pn.ssed,  and  one  of  the  col- 
lection districts  commenced  at  the  Rio  Grande.  | 
An  act  was  parsed  fixing  the  dividing  line  between 
the  connties  of  Bexar  and  San  Patricio.  §  Other 
laws  to  the  same  effect  were  enacted. 

The  citizens  of  Texas  had  now  passed  through 
the  different  states  of  colonists,  revolutionists,  and 
ind<'pendent  freemen.  A  small  band  of  men,  in- 
spired ]>y  an  unconquerable  love  for  liberty,  had 

*  La'*-  of  T<?xa<(  approvH,  Decomber  10,  1836. 
f  l^w  of  lOJh  Deromhpr,  136. 
J  I^viof  Jane  I2fh.  1^37. 

;  Uw  of  May  24. 18-28.     I.nw  of  the  21st  Decpnil)er,  183S.     Law, 
Februar)-.5th,  ISIO.     January  lUli,  1813.     December  lOtli,  1813. 


X 

< 


98: 

H 

9* 


^im^ 


96 


II I S  T  O  li  Y      O  F     THE 


boldly  encountered  tlie  trained  bands  of  eight  mil- 
lions of  people.  Conduct  more  savage  and  unre- 
lenting tlian  was  practised  towards  tliem,  never  dis- 
graced the  annals  of  Indian  Avarfare.  But  the  Texans 
"were  more  terriUe  ujjon  the  l^attle  field,  than  any 
foes  Avhicli  that  mixture  of  the  European,  Indian 
and  African  race  had  yet  attein[)ted  to  subdue ;  and 
the  results  of  one  campaign  taught  them  to  fear  a 
collision  with  men,  wlio,  althougli  merciful  in  the 
moment  of  triumph,  wei'e  still  resistless  in  the  shock 
of  battle. 

I  will  merely  add,  that  there  is  no  force  in  the 
assertion,  that  the  Texans  only  acquired  a  title  by 
conquest  to  that  portion  of  Texas,  lying  this  side  of 
the  Nueces.  It  surely  was  not  necessary  that  they 
should  maintain  soldiers  upon  every  square  foot  of 
the  territory.  It  is  only  necessary  to  possess  the 
ability  to  make  good  the  usurpation  at  all  times. 
That  was  certainly  the  case  with  the  Texans,  from 
the  battle  of  San  Jacinto  ;  until  the  moment  of  an- 
nexation, no  hostile  foot  found  a  restmg-place  with- 
in her  borders. 

The  American  colonies  declared  their  indepen- 
dence of  Great  Britain,  in  177G.  The  struggle  con- 
tinued more  than  seven  years.  Suppose  that  Eng- 
land, instead  of  making  a  treaty,  had  withdrawn 
from  the  conte  it,  would  not  our  title  be  as  good  to 
every  part  of  the  thirteen  States,  as  to  that  portion 
which  was  enriched  by  the  blood  of  our  revolution- 
ary sires  ?  And  yet,  how  small  a  portion  of  that 
territory  was  trod  by  an  American  soldier. 


POLK     ADMINISl'KATION, 


m 


f^i*^ 


f 


CHAFrER  V. 

Ititlepcndencp  of  Texas. — She  applies  for  admission  into  the  Union. — Acquisi- 
tion of  territory  by  Mr.  Jefll-rson. — Transfer  of  Texas  to  Spain  by  the 
Treaty  of  1819. — Efforts  of  Pre.sident  Adams  to  have  the  title  reconveyed. 
— Territory  accjuired  while  Mr.  Webster  was  Secretary  of  State. — Efforts 
of  England  and  France  to  prevent  annexation. — Passage  of  the  annexa- 
tion resolutions. — Extension  of  our  boundary. 

I  COME  now  to  an  examination  of  those  events  which 
resulted  in  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  United 
States.  It  Ls  not  true  that  the  Government  of  this 
country  ever  sought  to  acquire  that  territory  by 
con(|uest.  On  the  contrary,  all  proper  exertions 
were  used  in  1836,  by  the  Administration  then  in 
power,  to  resti'ain  the  ardor  of  our  people,  who 
seemed  determined  to  fly  to  the  rescue  of  their 
brethren  whose  blood  was  watering  the  soil  of 
Texas.  The  neutrality  of  our  Government  was 
preserved.  This  was  not  only  the  case,  but  to  pre- 
vent any  unjust  accusations  against  its  good  faith, 
the  application  which  Texas  made,  in  a  short  time 
after  the  battle  of  San  Jacinto,  for  annexation  to 
this  country,  was  rejected.  At  a  general  election 
in  September,  183G,  the  citizens  of  Texas  declared 
with  gi-eat  unanimity  in  favor  of  a  union  with  the 
United  States ;  and  in  November  following  the  in- 
dependence of  that  republic,  authorized  the  ap- 
7 


#  ■■ 


\' 


Or:iau4  March  1. 1^1^14, 


^ 


08 


HI^TOJIY     OF     THE 


\>i']niui«'ut  of  a  minister  to  accomplish  that  result, 
liut  a))  thii;ir  |»rof>ositi()ns  were  rejected  l)y  the  ad- 
juijjihilratjof*  ^yf  fre^^ident  Jackson.  And  it  Avas  not 
until  a  ♦^uffic^^-nt  number  f)f  years  had  elapsed,  du- 
linjr  w'hiit'h  t'luic.  the  Texans  had  exhibited  far  more 
ability  to  fm»iritain  their  independence,  than  the 
Mejsi<'aji»  thf.mM'lvcH,  that  the  ([uestion  of  the  an- 
ncxiiUou  of  Texas  was  seriously  agitated  in  the 
Uiiitcfl  i*t;»U;H.  It  is  a  remarkal)le  fact,  that  tlie 
t^^rrit'yry  whirh  we  had  upon  several  occasions  of- 
fM<'<l  to  i>nrch-tne  from  ^lexico,  she  lost  by  her 
tiX'M'.Uitrott^  and  unjustifiable  conduct  towards  the 
citi/eiw  of  Tcrxas, 

It  wtm  TKft  Ifrft  to  the  administration  of  Mr. 
P'jik  t/f  oriyinatf!  the  doctrine  that  our  boundai-ies 
sh<^iiM  \0t  *:Xi(iu\c(].  Mr.  Jefferson,  by  the  tieaty 
of  1  hh'/>  With  France,  immeasurably  advanced  tlie 
interest*  of  his  countiy.  This  was  unfortunately, 
U}  a  (^nm(U'-ra}Ae  extent,  impaired  by  the  cession  to 
Spain  UKdlc^r  thfj  treaty  <»f  1811) ;  and  no  doubt,  see- 
ing t!j<;  Horror  committed  by  the  cabinet  of  Avhich 
he  wii*i  a  utMu))cr,  Mr.  Adams,  during  the  term  of 
his  ^n-nn^uUifu'.y^  mad*;  early  and  sincere  endeavors  to 
r^nUmi  thd?  J»onndanes  of  the  United  States  to  the 
Kio  IM  N'orle.  To  accomplish  this  object,  the 
c'^ij-^tarrf  (i;xc'rlions  of  his  administration  were  em- 
ploywl,  *fti  the  'jr.th  of  March,  1825,  Mr.  Clay, 
tlieu  ^i*'r«diiry  of  State,  addressed  a  letter  to  IMr. 
Poiuwtt,  our  .\f inister  at  Mexico,  in  which  he  stated 
tliat  thft  l»ii*r  rxf  tlie  Sabine  approached  too  near  our 
we8t<^m  w»art,  and  suggested  the  Kio  Del  Norte  in 


^ 


POLK     A  D.M  l.\  JS  i  U  ATION.  99 

lieu  of  it.*     Similar  instructions  wore  reiterated  to 
Mr.  Poinsett,  March  15tli,  ISL'T.f 

The  policy  which  dictiited  the  extension  of  our 
boundaries,  was  adopted  hy  the  administrations  of 
Presidents  Jackson,*  Van  Buren  and  Tyler 

*  "  Some  difficulties  maj  possibly  hereafter  arise  between  the  two 
countries,  fioin  the  line  thus  airrcetl  upon,  against  which  it  would  bo  advi- 
sable now  to  guard,  if  practicable ;  and  as  the  Government  of  Mexico 
may  bo  supposed  not  to  have  any  disinclination  to  the  fixation  of  a  now 
lino,  which  wo\ild  prevent  those  'Jirliculties,  the  President  wishes  you  to 
sound  it  on  that  subject,  and  to  avail  yourself  of  n  favorable  disposition,  if 
you  should  find  it,  to  olToct  that  object.  The  line  of  the  Sabine  approaches 
our  great  western  mart  nearer  than  could  be  wishcu  Perha])s  the  Mexi- 
can Government  may  not  be  unwilling  to  establish  that  of  the  Rio  Brazos 
de  Dios,  or  the  Rio  Colorado,  or  the  Snow  Mountains,  or  the  Rio  Del 
Norte,  in  lieu  of  it." 

f  "  That  of  the  Sabine  brings  Mexico  nearer  our  great  western  com- 
mercial capital  than  is  desirable  ;  and  although  we  now  are,  and  for  a  long 
time  may  remain  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  justice  and  moderation  of  our 
neighbors,  still  it  would  be  better  for  both  parties,  that  neither  should  feel 
that  he  is  in  any  condition  of  exposure  on  the  remote  contingency  of  an 
alteration  in  existing  friendly  sentiments." 

"  Impressed  with  these  views,  the  President  has  thought  the  present 
might  be  an  auspicious  period  for  urging  a  negotiation,  at  Mexico,  to  set- 
tle the  boundary  between  the  territories  of  the  two  republics.  The  suc- 
cess of  the  negotiation  will  probably  bo  promoted  by  throwing  into  it  other 
motives  than  those  which  strictly  belong  to  the  subject  itself.  If  we 
could  obtain  such  a  boundary  as  we  desire,  the  Govoriunont  of  the  United 
Slates  might  bo  disposed  to  pay  a  reasonable  pecuniary  consideration. 
The  boundary  which  we  prefer,  is  that  which,  beginning  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Rio  Del  Norte,  on  the  sea,  shall  ascend  that  river  to  the  month  of  the 
Rio  Puerco,  thence  ascending  this  river  to  its  source,  and  from  its  so\irce, 
by  a  lino  duo  north,  to  strike  the  Arkunsas  ;  thence,  following  the  course 
of  the  so\ilhi'rn  bank  of  the  Arkansas  to  its  source,  in  latitude  forty-two 
degrees  north,  and  thence,  by  that  parallel  of  latitude,  to  the  South  Sea." 

"  There  should  also  be  a  provision  made  for  the  delivery  of  the  country 
to  the  United  States  sinndtai\eously,  or  as  neorly  so  as  practicable,  with 
the  payment  of  the  consideration." 

*  "  Sir,  it  is  tlio  wish  of  the  President  that  you  should,  without  delay, 
open  a  negotiation  with  the  Mexican  Government,  for  the  purchase  of  so 
much  of  the  province  of  Texas  os  is  hereinafter  described,  or  for  such 


100 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Mr.  "Webster,  in  settling  the  nortlieastern  houn- 
clary  question,  managed  to  acquire  about  one  mile  in 
width  along  the  northern  boundary  of  Vermont  and 
New- York,  including  House's  Point,  thus  acceding  to 
the  doctrine  that  territory  may  })e  acquired  without 
danger  to  our  institutions.  Indeed,  the  pulicy 
which  prompts  the  acquisition  of  contiguous  terri- 
tory, lias  so  long  governed  the  most  illustrious  of 
our  public  men,  and  has  so  often  received  tlui  sanc- 
tion of  the  American  people,  that  it  may  now  be 
regarded  as  settled  for  ever. 

It  was  unfortunate  that  at  a  time  when  so  im- 
portant a  question  as  the  annexation  of  Texas  wiis 
agitated,  that  Mr.  Tyler  occupied  the  presidential 
chair.  lie  had,  for  reasons  which  it  is  not  necessaiy 
to  enumerate  here,  lost  his  influence  with  the  Avhig 
and  democratic  parties.  So  far  as  the  annexation  of 
Texas  was  concerned,  instead  of  receiving  addi- 
tional weight  from  his  sanction,  it  had  the  eftect  of 
placing  obstacles  in  the  way  of  its  consummation. 

There  was  besides  other  embarrassments  of  a 
grave  character,  which  surrounded  the  subject. 
The  rapid  strides  which  the  United  States  had  been 
making  to  national  greatness,  was  \dewed  with 
jealousy  by  Great  Britain.  The  acquisition  of  so 
large  a  portion  of  territory  as  was  included  within 
the  boundaries  of  Texas,  was  regarded  with  evident 
marks  of  dissatisfaction ;  and  all  the  powers  possessed 


1 


part  thereof  as  they  can  be  induced  to  cede  to  us,  if  the  same  be  conforma- 
ble to  either  of  the  locaHties  with  which  you  are  hereinafter  furnished." — 
Dispatch  of  the  Secretary  of  Slate  to  our  Minister  in  Mexico,  August 
25//t,  1829. 


POLK     AD5IINI9TRATION, 


101 


hy  the  most  accomplisluMl  corps  of  (lij>loraatists  of 
motlcrn  times  were  eiii])l()yed  to  arrest  tlie  movement. 
France,  too,  was  not  idle.  The  two  gi'eat  maritime 
powers  of  the  ohl  world  had  taken  tlie  fiehl  against 
us.  Mr.  Packeidiam,  for  several  years  the  British 
minister  at  JMexico,  was  accredited  to  the  United 
States.  Mr.  Bankhead,  once  the  minister  of  Eng- 
land to  this  oountiy,  was  sent  to  Mexico.  Captain 
Elliott,  the  British,  and  M.  Saligny,  the  French 
minister  in  Texas,  emjiloyed  all  their  powers  to  pre- 
vent the  union.  Vessels  of  war  Avere  put  in  requi- 
sition, and  protests  and  protocols  were  freely  em- 
ployed, l)ut  still  without  effect.  France  and  Eng- 
land were  not  only  violently  o})posed  to  the  annex- 
ation of  Texjis  from  national  considei'ations,  l)ut  the 
English  and  Americans  who  were  determined  to 
ju'event  the  ac(|uisiti()U  of  additional  slaveiy  terri- 
tory, were  taking  active  and  energetic  measures  to 
frustrate  the  designs  of  the  annexationists,  ITie 
American  delegation  to  the  World's  Convention 
had  suggested  to  the  aliolitionists  of  England,  that 
the  time  to  act  had  arrived ;  an  interview  had  taken 
])lace  between  Lord  Aberdeen  and  a  deputation  of 
that  convention.  C<)ml)inations  were  formed  by 
associations  of  men,  Avho  are  often  more  successful 
in  accomj^lishing  their  objects  than  governments 
themselves.  But  the  pul)lic  heart  in  the  United 
States  and  Texas  throbbed  for  a  union  of  the  two, 
and  decided  steps  Avere  taken  to  accomplish  that 
result. 

A  pro])osition  was  made  on  the  17th  of  Jaiuiary, 
1844,  to  ]\rr.  Upshur,   the  Amei'ican  Secretary  of 


pqimi^iii    iipiijjpii 


103 


IIISTOUV     OF     TilK 


Stati',  1>y  tilt!  Tt'XJiu  ^Minister,  Avliicli,  Ly  its  Lold- 
iK'-s,  si'oukhI  to  luivo  .stiirtlocl  till'  Ciiliiiu't  of  Mr. 
Tyler.""  Jiy  tlu;  terms  of  tliis  coiiiiimnieation,  the 
fetir  sec'iut'd  to  Ix;  ciitertiiiuud  l)y  tlu;  T(;.\iiiis,  tliat 
if  annexation  should  he  acconiplislied,  the  ^Mexicans 
■\voidd  iiiniicdiately  terminate?  tlie  armistiee,  and  at 
once  resume  liostilities ;  and  tlu;  (question  was  dis- 
tinctly proj)ounde(l  to  ^Ir.  Upshur,  wliethcr  the 
President,  after  signing  the  treaty,  and  l>efore  it  was 
ratitied  by  the  other  lu'anch  of  the  (rovernment, 
would  order  the  forces  of  the  United  States  to  pro- 
tect Texas  against  foreign  aggressions.    ]\lr.  Upshur 

*  "Siii;  It  is  known  to  yon  tli!it  nn  nrinistice  1ms  l)ncn  proclaiinml 
between  Mexico  luid  Texas  ;  tliattliiitarinistice  liasliecn  ohtaiticil  tlirounjli 
tlie  intorvontion  of  several  great  powers,  niiitually  frioiully,  and  that  neijo- 
tiat ions  are  now  pending,  liaving  for  their  object  a  settlement  of  the  diin- 
cultics  Iieretoforc  existing  between  the  two  countries.  A  proposition 
having  been  likewise  submitted  by  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
throngli  you,  for  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  this  country,  therefore,  (with- 
out indicating  the  nature  of  the  reply  which  the  President  of  Texas  may 
direct  to  be  made  to  this  ])roposition.)  I  beg  leave  to  sui^i'i'st  that  it  may 
bo  approbended,  should  u  treaty  of  annexation  Iw  concluded,  Mexico  may 
think  proper  to  at  once  terminate  the  armistice,  break  off  all  negotiation 
for  peace,  and  again  threaten  or  commence  hostilities  against  Texas  ;  and 
that  some  of  the  other  Governments  who  have  been  instrumental  in  ob- 
taining their  cession,  if  they  do  not  throw  their  iulluenco  into  the  Mexi- 
can scale,  may  altogether  withdraw  their  good  iRccs  of  mediation,  thus 
losing  to  Texas  their  friendship,  and  exposing  her  to  the  imrestrained 
menaces  of  Mexico.  In  view,  then,  of  these  things,  I  desire  to  submit 
through  you,  to  his  e.vcellency  the  President  of  the  United  States,  this  in- 
quiry :  Should  the  President  of  Texas  acceile  to  the  proposition  of  annex-- 
ation,  would  the  President  of  the  United  States,  after  the  signing  of  the 
treaty,  and  before  it  shall  be  ratitied  and  receive  the  dual  action  of  the 
other  branches  of  both  Governments,  in  case  Texas  should  <lesire  it,  or 
with  her  consent,  order  such  number  of  the  military  and  naval  forces  of 
the  United  States  to  such  necessary  points  or  places  npon  the  territory  or 
borders  of  Texas  or  the  Gulf  of  .Mexico,  as  shall  be  sufficient  to  protect 
her  against  foreign  aggression  ?" 


POLK     ADMINISTKATF    »\, 


103 


never  answered  it.  Mr.  Nelson,  his  temporary  huc- 
cessor  as  Secretary  of  Stat<',  <li<l  not  answer  it  to  the 
Texan  Minister  in  \Vas]iin^ti;ii,  l)iit  addressed  a 
letter  to  ]Mr.  ^lurphy,  in  Texas,  under  thite  of 
March  11th,  1844. 

The  terms  of  tliia  corinuiiiicati(m  did  not  satisfy 
the  Texan  (lovernment,  and  'Sh:  Henderson,  the 
newly  appoint  1  minister  at  \Vashinf,4on,  from  that 
country,  refused  to  enter  int<j  neji^otiations.  Fearful 
of  losing  the  j)rize  which  was  almost  within  tlunr 
grasp,  the  administration  of  Mr.  Tyler,  on  the  11th 
day  of  A[)ril,  1844,  agreed  to  tlm  denuuids  of  the 
Texan  Government.*  This  was  followed  on  the 
12th  of  Aj)ril,  1S44,  l)y  a  treaty  lietweeii  the  two 
rej)ul)lics,  foi*  the  annexati(m  of  Texas  to  the  United 
States,  Avliieh  was  rejected  l)y  the  Senate. 

During  each  step  of  the  negotiarioiis  tin;  ]\rexi- 
can  Government   had  issued  threatening  prf)tests,f 


*  "  Gentlemen  :  Tho  letter  adilresspd  by  5Ir.  Van  Xnndt  to  the  late 
Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  Upshur,  to  which  you  have  called  my  attention, 
dated,  Washington,  17th  January,  IS  1 1,  has  been  laid  teferc  tho  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States. 

"  In  reply  to  it,  I  am  directed  by  the  President  to  say,  that  tho  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy  has  been  instructed  to  order  a  Htroni;  naval  force  to  con- 
centrate in  tho  Gulf  of  Mexico,  to  meet  any  emergency  ;  and  that  similar 
orders  have  lx?en  issued  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  to  move  the  disposable 
military  forces  on  our  south-western  frontier,  for  tho  same  purpose. 
Should  the  exigency  arise  to  which  you  refer  in  your  note  to  J[r. 
Upshur,  I  am  further  directed  by  the  l'rosi(|r>nt  to  say,  that  during  the 
pemlency  of  tlie  treaty  of  annexation,  he  would  deem  it  his  duty  to  use  all 
tho  means  placed  within  his  power  by  the  (,'onstitution,to  protect  Texas  from 
all  foreign  invasion.  I  have  the  honor  to  Iw,  &c." — Lrifi-r  nf  the  A7nrri- 
can  Secrflary  of  Slate,  Mr.  Calhoun,  to  the  Mrxican  Minislir,  April  \l, 
1844. 

t  "  The  Mexican  Government  will  consider  equivalent  to  a  declaration 
of  war  against  the  Mexican  Republic,  the  passage  of  an  act  for  the  incor- 


"P 


y^' 


V-* 


•^V'^ 


v-^^ 


if 


104 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


declaring  that  war  would  he  the  inovital»le  result, 
if  the  measure  should  be  consummated,  '^llie  ques- 
tion which  for  a  time  had  been  dela}'ed  T)y  the  Se- 
nate, was  referred  to  the  people  in  the  celebrated 
cont(»st  of  1844,  which  resulted  in  the  elevation  of 
Mr,  J'olk  to  the  presidency  of  the  United  States. 

The  impetus  which  had  l)een  given  at  the  pre- 
sidential election  to  the  question  of  annexation,  re- 
sulted in  the  passage  by  Congress,  on  the  1st  of 
Marcl 


•en, 


184r),  of  a  joint  resolution  for  annexing 


Texas  to  the   United  States*  upon  certain  preli- 


pnmling  of  Texas  into  tlie  territory  of  the  United  StJites ;  the  rertninty  of 
the  fact  l)oinij  sufliciont  for  tiie  proclamation  of  war,  leaving  to  the  civiliz- 
ed world  to  dotennino  in  regard  to  the  justice  of  the  Mexican  nation,  in  a 
struggle  which  it  has  been  so  far  from  provoking." — .Mi'xirnn  Minislnr  nf 
Fiinlifn  Ajyairs  to  the.  American  Minister,  Au^nsl  23,  1843. 

"  Sncli  a  measure  (the  annexation  of  Texas),  if  carried  into  effect,  can- 
nnt  lie  considered  by  Mexico  in  any  other  aspect  thrn  as  direct  ag- 
gression  

'•And  he  (Ahiionte)  moreover  declares,  by  express  order  of  his 
Government,  that  on  sanction  being  given  by  the  Executive  of  the  Union 
to  the  incorporating  of  Texas  into  the  United  States,  he  will  consider  his 
mission  ended,  seeing  that,  as  the  Secretary  ol  ;>tnte  will  have  learned, 
the  Me.xicnn  (jovernment  is  resolved  to  declare  war  as  soon  ns  it  receives 
information  of  that  fact." — Mexican  Minister,  at  Washington,  Noiember 
3,  1813. 

"  Thnt  Mexico  was  resolved  again  to  undertake  the  campaign  against 
Texas,  for  which  he  held  in  readiness  a  large  army." — Proclamation  of 
President  Santa  Anna,  June  12,  1844. 

*  Tlie  first  resolution  provides,  that  Congress  doth  consent  thai  tJie 
territory  properly  included  within,  and  rightfully  belonging  to  the  Repub- 
lic of  Texas,  niiiy  bo  erected  into  a  new  State,  to  bo  called  the  State  of 
Texas,  with  a  republican  form  of  Government,  to  be  adopted  by  the  people 
of  said  republic,  by  deputies  in  convention  assembled,  with  the  consent  of 
the  existing  Govenunent,  in  order  that  the  same  may  Ikj  admitted  as  one 
of  the  States  of  the  Union.  That  the  foregoing  consent  of  Congress  is 
given  upon  the  condition,  that  the  said  State  be  formed,  subject  to  the  ad- 
justment by  this  Government  of  all  questions  of  boundary  tlmt  may  arise 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


utr, 


minnry  conditions,  to  wliicli  lier  assent  \va«  r<^^M'mi*h 
Tills  was  done  by  the  Congress,  and  tlK:-  Jvxe^'uitivw 
of  Texas,  and  by  tlie  people  in  a  conventi<;n  *'U--<iti'r*i 
for  that  purpose.  The  threats  Avhieh  jiad  s(>  iA'Um 
been  made  l)y  the  Mexican  Governnieiit  m^r*-:  put 
in  force,  and  all  diplomatic  relations  wcj*-  br<yki<iii 
off*  (leneral  Almonte,  the*  Mexican  Mijjii-t.er  at 
Washington,  in  March,  1845,  demanded  1>U  ^ysa^*!*' 
ports  and  returned  to  jMexico, 

What  evils  will  result  from  this  larger  3uc<im4tifm 
of  Territory?  JVoue.  It  is  the  duty  of  a  tiiAthm^ 
as  far  as  possible,  to  throw  around  itself  ih*i  «'»i<?' 
ments  of  jirotection  against  the  assaults  of  i'or^'l;^ 
powers.  The  advantages  resulting  from  stic}*  ^ 
couree  are  two-fold.     It  wins  that  resjicct  aiifi  (ttt' 

with  other  Governments ;  and  the  constitution  therpof.  with  the  fT'^r 
evidonco  of  its  adoption  by  the  people  of  tiio  siiid  Ro|iiiblic  ol  'JVxsn^^  »i!aii§ 
be  transmitted  to  tiio  President  of  tiio  United  States,  to  he  luid  U'fi>j*  Om" 
gross  for  its  final  action,  on  or  before  the  1st  day  of  January.  \>ii»-i. 

The  second  resolution  provides,  that  if  the  President  ot  \iv'  I'l/ft*)! 
States  shall,  in  his  judirment  and  discretion,  deem  it  most  advi.-«UW..  ■M' 
stead  of  proceeding  to  submit  the  first  resolution  to  the  Republic  </l  T't^wi 
as  an  overture  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  for  admission,  to  Ufg-As*? 
with  that  Republic,  then,  that  a  State  to  be  formed  out  ot  tlie  jjir*<i.»wi 
Republic  of  Texas,  with  suitable  extent  and  boundaries,  and  wRb  *** 
Representatives  in  Conirress  nnt^'  the  next  apportionment  of  refHv^'Diii;^ 
tion,  shall  be  admitted  into  the  Union  by  virtue  of  this  act,  on  ati  ^iji^nil 
footing  with  the  existing  States,  as  soon  as  the  terms  and  conditi-jw  ii4 
sucli  admission,  and  the  cession  of  the  remaining  Texan  territory  t<,i  jAw 
United  States  sbidl  he  agreed  upon  by  the  Governments  of  Texae  awS  fllkw 
United  States,  and  the  siun  of  $100,000  is  liereby  appropriated  t<j4«liiwy 
the  expenses  of  missions  and  negotiations  to  agree  upon  the  terms^  </««>! 
admission  and  cession,  either  by  treaty  to  be  submitted  to  the  Ktiitrt^.. cv 
by  articles  to  be  submitted  to  the  two  Houses  of  Congress,  as  ll«e  I'lws^ 
dent  may  direct. 

*  liCtter  of  General  Almonte  to  the  American  Secretary  i/f  ,Wtat«, 
March  6th,  18  15. 


i 


106 


HISTORY     OF     TIlK 


bearance  from  foreign  GovernmeiitSj  whicli  j)ower 
Hcldoni  fails  to  produce  ;  and  it  yields  facilities  for 
a  ])roinpt  and  eft'ectual  vindication  of  riglits,  which 
the  unscvu])nlous  are  so  ready  to  infiinge. 

If  the  interest  of  a  country  required  the  acqui- 
sition of  contiguous  territttiy,  the  j)roper  means 
should  most  unipiestionaldy  be  ased  by  its  Govern- 
ment to  acquire  that  territory.  If  our  nationality 
depended  upon  the  forcible  possession  of  any  por- 
tion of  this  earth,  it  would  he  as  justifiahle  upon 
the  i)art  of  the  Government  to  (!inpIoy  tlie  requi- 
site force  to  acconq)lish  that  cmX,  as  it  would  he  for 
a  droAvning  man  to  thrust  his  fellow  from  a  plank, 
which  would  not  su})port  them  Ijoth,  ITiey  are 
both  reconcilalde  upon  the  j»i-inci[»l(;  (jf  "self-pre- 
servation ])ein<f  the  first  hiAv  of  nature." 

There  have  always  been  found  men,  however,  in 
this  country,  opposed  to  the  extension  of  our  ter- 
ritorial limits.  Whether  the  ac<pnsition  is  made 
peacealdy  and  by  negotiation,  or  is  the  result  of 
conquest,  their  views  remain  unchangealde.  Some 
base  their  opposition  u])on  the  assumj>tion,  that  our 
limits  Avill  become  so  enlarged  that  a  dissolution  of 
the  Union  will  be  the  result ;  while  othei"s,  more 
selfish  and  illiberal  in  their  opinions,  dread  the  de- 
parture of  power  from  theii-  own  coiiti'acted  sphere. 
They  regard  as  the  gi-eatest  ciilamity  which  may 
l)efall  them,  the  overshadowing  influi-nce  which  the 
inmiense  territory  we  have  acquired  will  possess 
over  those  small  States  wherein  they  are  omnijio- 
tent.  The  objections  of  the  latt<'r  an;  unworthy 
of  a  moment's   considerati<»n.      Their  motives  are 


POLK     A  1)  AI I  ^'  I  S  T  It  A  T  I  O  N  . 


107 


well  understood  and  justly  appi-eciated.  It  is 
to  the  feai-s  of  the  honest  which  I  prefer  to  ad- 
dress myself.  And  in  the  outset  I  might  triumph- 
antly refer  to  the  history  of  this  country,  as  a  refuta- 
tion of  the  stale  charge,  that  an  extension  of  our 
boundaries  will  produce,  ultimately,  a  dissolution 
of  the  Union.  The  old  "Thirteen"  were  at  first 
inclined  to  retain  dominion  over  those  vast  tracts 
which  extended  far  to  the  westward.  But  they 
were  finally  controlled  by  a  spirit  of  liberality. 
Out  of  the  territory  which  originally  belonged  to 
them,  have  been  carved  several  mighty  States. 
Contiguous  territory  has  been  purchased  from  for- 
eign powers.  A  vast  and  valuable  section  of  coun- 
try has  been  taken  from  a  conquered  power,  inhab- 
ited by  thousands  of  another  race.  And  still  the 
cohesive  power  of  this  mighty  republic  holds  it  to- 
gether. The  constitution  and  laws  cover,  like  a  pro- 
tecting shield,  all  within  our  borders.  Even  upon 
tlie  newly  ac(piired  soil  of  California,  where  have 
congreavted  the  adventui'ous  from  many  lands,  the 
supremacy  of  law  and  order  prevails,  arid  the 
American,  true  to  the  allegiance  and  duty  which 
he  owes  to  these  States,  is  prepared,  at  all  hazards, 
to  add  another  to  the  splendid  galaxy  which  consti- 
tutes this  confederacy. 

While  the  public  heart  beats  thus  warmly  fi-om 
the  centre  throughout  the  boi-ders  of  our  land,  Avhat 
well-grounded  feai-s  can  "lie  entertained  for  the  sta- 
bility of  the  ITnion?  It  is  not  the  extent  of  a  coun- 
try which  produces  weakness,  as  long  as  patriotism 
and  virtue  control  the  masses.     And  Avhen  they  be- 


ll 


at 
H 


108 


It 


HISTORY     OF     Tn35 


come  thoroughly  corrupt,  it  matters  not  how  lim- 
ited may  he  their  sphere  of  action,  they  will  soon 
be  deprived  of  that  liberty  which  they  do  not 
deserve  to  retain.  We  are  often  referred  by  those 
who  have  a  fondness  for  historical  facts,  whether 
they  are  particularly  applicable  or  not  to  the  sub- 
ject which  they  have  under  consideration,  to  the 
decline  and  fall  of  the  Roman  Empire. 

The  fate  of  that  empire  can  have  no  parallel 
here.  Its  power  and  influence  were  confined  within 
"  The  Seven  Hills."  The  wealth  which  they  plun- 
dered from  the  conquered  was  cai-ried  thither  to 
corru])t  her  citizens.  The  provinces  Avere  treated 
as  a  conquered  country;  their  citizens  were  robbed 
and  maltreated.  And  when  the  Romans,  enervated 
by  their  ill-gotten  wealth,  came  in  contact  with  the 
fierce  and  hardy  men  of  the  north,  they  were  over- 
thrown. What  parallel  is  there  between  such  a 
career  and  our  own  brilliant  destiny?  Our  cities 
are  very  far  from  possessing  the  pijwer  of  corrupt- 
ing the  country,  even  admitting  that  their  inhabit- 
ants are  not  as  patriotic  as  ^\•here  they  1»reathe  the 
pui'e  air  of  heaven.  Suppose  all  the  gold  of  Cali- 
fornia were  poured  into  our  large  cities,  what  effect 
would  that  have  upon  this  vast  confederacy  ?  Even 
if  it  Avas  confined  within  those  cities  the  countiy 
would  be  just  as  safe.  But  it  is,  on  the  contrary, 
circulated  and  diffused  throughout  the  land. 

Again,  Rome  was  shaken  by  internal  dissen- 
sions. A  successful  genei-al  would  take  advantacre 
of  a  temporary  ])opularity  to  encroach  upon  their 
richt.".     A  brilliant  orator  would  excite  them  to 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


109 


their  own  undoing.  What  could  he  accomplished 
Ly  the  most  .successful  general,  or  the  most  accom- 
IjlL-hed  oi-ator  in  this  enlightened  land  ?  The  very 
fact  of  our  Ixjundaries  Ijeing  so  widely  extended  is 
a  shield  against  all  such  dangers.  One  portion  of 
the  confederacy  may  ])e  agitated,  and  aroused  to 
such  a  pitch  of  frenz}^  as  almost  to  result  in  revo- 
lution, as  was  the  case  with  the  small  State  of  llhode 
Island,  Avhile  other  and  more  distant  parts  of  the 
Union  maintain  a  coolness  calculated  to  produce  the 
best  re  mlts. 

In  the  very  extension  of  our  boundaries  is  the 
surest  prot<.-ction  against  convulsions  within,  and 
hostile  legions  from  withf)ut.  This  country,  for 
years  to  corne,  will  he  the  great  point  of  atti'action 
to  foreigners.  Each  year  witnesses  the  arrival  of 
th<jasands.  If,  as  some  suppose,  danger  may  he 
apprehended  from  this  vast  influx  of  foreigners, 
how  much  the  danger  is  lessened  hy  mingling  them 
with  our  own  citizens,  and  diffiising  them  over  our 
widely  exi:ended  domain. 

Tliere  is  ;.  .etliing  so  just  and  equitable  in  the 
coastitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States,  that  no 
one  can  have  cause  for  dissatisfaction.  The  for- 
eigner Avho  voluntarily  comes  to  our  shores,  and  the 
Mex-ican,  who,  without  his  consent,  is  "annexed" 
to  this  countr}",  at  once  feel  the  influences  wliich 
smTound  them  so  unusual,  and  the  pi'ivileges  con- 
ferre<l  ^t  grateful  to  their  feelings,  that  they  are 
at  once  and  for  ever  bound  to  their  new  home  by 
the  stroni^est  ties  of  gratitude  and  love.  And  that 
man  who  was  b«jm  an  Ameiicau,  would  be  doubly 


'^ 


^ 

^ 


lj\gfl^]ggll 


•"mmmmrm^ 


110 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


dyed  a  traitor,  who  could  raise  his  voice  in  other 
than  words  of  affection  for  liis  native  land. 

Let  the  boundaries  of  the  Union,  then,  he  ex- 
tended; let  contiguous  tei'ritory  he  incorporated 
with  our  own ;  let  all  the  leys  to  our  livers  and 
harbors  be  secured ;  let  the  nKjdel  republic  increase 
in  greatness  until  its  i)olitical,  moral,  and  physical 
power,  shall  be  felt  and  acknowledged  throughout 
the  civilized  world. 


i 


\\ 


f    "N 


V 


^ 


\.' 


I 


♦        V       v>. 


\- 


^-      S>    ,?  •I/ 


^_%^ 


pp 


POLK     AD311NISTRATI0N. 


Ill 


^  CHAPTER  VI. 

American  Consul  at  Mexico  directed  to  open  negotiations.— The  Mexicans 
agree  to  receive  n  commissioner— Mr.  Slidell  appointed  Minister  Pleni- 
polenliary.— Tlie  Mexicans  refuse  to  receive  liim  in  tliat  cliaracler.— 
Causes  of  rupture  which  liad  long  existed.-The  Mexicans  raise  troops, 
-ilerrera  forced  to  resign  in  favor  of  General  Paredes.-Orders  issued  to 
the  Mexican  commanders  upon  the  frontiers  to  attack  the  Americans- 
Course  pursued  by  the  opposition  members  of  Congress.— Assault  upon 
the  foreign  policy  of  Mr.  Polk. 

The  annexation   of  Texas  having  been  solemnly 
agreed  upon  hj  treaty,  tlie  indignation  of  tlie  Mex- 
ican authorities  was  completely  aroused.     On  the 
12th   of  July,  1845,  orders  were  issued  from  the 
office  of  war  and  marine,  for  the  troops  i-^  he  in 
readiness  to  march  towards  any  point  whKh  re- 
quired protection,  against  what  was  regarded  as  un- 
just aggressions.*     There  could  he  no  pretence  for 
taking  this  step,  as  General  Taylor  had  not  at  that 
time  taken  up  his  position  at  Corpus  Christi.     Al- 
though Mexico  had  aln-uptly  terminated  all  diplo- 
matic intercourse  between  the  two  countries,  and 
had  hurled  defiance  at  the  American  Executive, 
Mr.  Polk  was  unwilling  to  take  up  the  glove  thus 
rudely  cast  at  his  feet.     In  September,  1845,  the 
consul  of  the  United  States  at  the  city  of  Mexico, 

*  "  See  orders  of  Garcia  Conde,  Oifice  of  War  and  Marine,  Mexico, 
July  12th,  1845." 


Ijj^a 


m 


HISTORY     or     THE 


wa*(  imtrncted  by  the  Secretary  of  State  to  propose 
a  maumidioh  of  diplomatic  intercourse.  This  was 
doii<;  by  Mr.  Black  on  the  13th  of  October,  1845, 
in  a  UdU:r  to  Mr.  Peua  Y  Pena.*  This  note  was 
ret^jxxjdKrd  to  on  the  15th  of  October,  18-45,  ])y 
the  Maxu'.an  Secretary  of  Foreign  AftairH,f  \\h(> 
H^rni'A  to  r«;ceive  a  commissioner  from  the  United 
Sfcut*»,  who  might  come  Avith  full  poAver  "to  settle 
the  |>i'«sw,'nt  dispute  in  a  peaceful,  reasonable  antl 
liiHiorsihU;  maTi.itT."  Upon  the  condition,  however, 
,tliiit  tLd;  whole  naval  force  then  lying  in  sight  of 
tlut  [*«>rt  4>f  Vera  Cruz  should  be  recalled.  Upon 
th«i  rM'.4ii/t.um  of  that  note  at  Washington,  our  naval 
f<>r<^;  waw  promj)tly  AvithdraAvn.  Mi-.  Slidell  was 
iuii«i(;dJat*rly  aj)j)ointed  Minister  to  Mexico,  Avith  full 
power  to  adjtist  all  the  questions  in  dispute.  On 
th<;  >!ith  of  December,  1845,  he  addressed  a  note  to 
Mr.  Pdrfia  Y  Pena,  advising  him  of  his  arrival  and 
t\ui  iAiy.t'X  of  his  mission.  The  Mexican  authorities 
refiiM'^J  to  receive  him.  The  government  of  General 
Wum'.rfi,  then  President  of  Mexico,  Avas  upon  the 
imui  </f  Icing  overturned  by  General  Paredes,  and 
tiwi  ljw.4t  o(  this  revolutiun  Avas  the  determination 
of  \U'rr(^s%  to  open  negotiations. J     As  a  last  des- 


*  K<rw  w*t:  of  Mr.  Black,  the  American  Consul,  to  IMr.  Pefia  Y  Pefia, 
tiie  iliiflsiifairt  Jfeeretary  of  Foreign  Affairs. 

f  iMUir  >A  .Mr.  Pefia  Y  Pena  to  Mr.  Black,  Oct.  15th,  1845. 

}  "  Wf.  tmvr  tnm  a  glance  to  Mexico,  where  will  be  found  established 
tiie  Ji'»*irMftMst.  of  Oeneral  Paredes.  As  one  of  the  motives  by  which 
(i*e  r«r«Atilitmi*u  snpported  their  pronunciamento,  was  that  the  adminis- 
tratiwi  /4  H/wrftTa  did  not  desire  to  carry  on  this  war,  the  new  government 
WW  iMMiA  U»  do  to  At  any  cost." — Mexican  Hislorij  of  the   War  with 


POLK     ADJIINISTUATION. 


113 


pei'ivte  expeilieut  to  luaintaiii  his  position,  Ilerrora 
(letctrjiiiiied  to  Lrwik  oft'  all  negotiations  with  the 
L'nited  States,  unci  the  pretext  for  that  covn'se  was 
tlie  fact,  that  Mr.  Slidell  was  coniniissioned  with  full 
powtM"  to  adjust  all  quiistions  in  dispute  hetween  the 
two  countries,  instead  of  Leini^  a])pointed  a  special 
coniniissioner  to  settle  the  (]uestion  of  annexation 
alone,  hsaving  all  the  outrages  upon  our  flag  and 
our  pe<)])le  unadjusted.* 

This  will  ]je  the  pi'o])er  time  to  examine  the 
gi'ounds  of  conii)laiut  which  the  United  States  had 
against  Mexico,  for  many  years  previous  to  the  an- 
nexation of  Texas. 

The  Mexicans  had  scarcely  achieved  their  inde- 
pendence of  Spain,  when  the  United  States  wel- 
comed them  into  the  sisterhood  of  nations.  The 
only  return  was  a  system  of  insult  and  aggression. 
Our  seamen  under  the  flag  of  the  Union,  engaged 

*  "Thu3  began  anew  the  neifotiations  in  December,  1845,  and  the 
minister,  Mr.  John  Siideli,  presented  himself  in  Mexico.  But  immediately 
this  difficulty  arose,  that  his  Government  desired  him  to  be  received  as  a 
minister  plenipotentiary,  ordinary  or  general,  and  ours  would  only  admit 
him  as  a  commissioner  ad  hiK  for  the  question  of  Texas.  The  settled 
opinion  of  the  Government  Council  of  the  16th  of  December  of  that  year, 
made  known  with  clearness  the  difference  between  the  two  characters. 
By  admitting  Sir.  Slidell  as  a  common  envoy  it  resulted,  that,  at  the  time 
of  arranging  the  questions  of  Texas,  ho  might  occupy  himself  with  other 
subjects  proper  for  a  plenipotentiary  who  exercised  his  functions  near  a 
government  with  which  there  were  only  peaceful  relations.  By  admitting 
Mr.  .Slidell  as  he  wished,  it  resulted  also,  that,  without  Mexico  receiving 
the  sntirfaction  due  her,  diplomatic  negotiations  would  become  re-estali- 
lished  Dctween  both  powers ;  that  the  business  of  annexation  would  1)6 
complicated  with  the  pecuniary  reclamations ;  that  Mexico  would  with- 
draw her  hand  from  making  war,  and  the  United  States  would  follow  up 
all  the  consequent  advantages  to  her  commerce  and  interests." — Ibid. 
p.  28. 


a 


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P4 

114 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


in  tho  peaceful  pursuits  of  eominereo,  Avero  tlirown 
into  dungeons  and  tlieir  pvojx-i'ty  eoiilisoated.  lU'.- 
volutions  sueeeeded  each  other  in  rajml  succession, 
but  still  there  was  no  cessation  in  the  s])oliatioii  of 
our  connnerce,  and  the  insults  to  our  flag.  The 
Government  of  the  United  States  again  and  again 
demanded  redress.  Pi'omises  were  made  l»y  one 
military  chieftain,  only  to  he  violated  l»y  an<jtlier. 
A  treaty  of  amity,  connnerce  and  navigation,  wan 
concluded  between  the  two  republics  on  tin;  r)th  of 
April,  1841.  It  was  confidently  believed  that  a 
proper  regard  Avould  be  paid  by  the  Mexicans  to 
the  s(jlenni  stipulation  contained  in  that  treaty. 
But  the  results  proved  that  too  nmcli  confi(h'nce 
had  been  placed  in  the  good  faith  oi  tliat  anialgar 
mated  race.  Seven  years  had  not  elapsed  after  the 
treaty  of  1831,  before  the  injuries  our  citizens  Avere 
subjected  to  had  become  so  intolerable,  tliat  the;  at- 
tention of  Congress  was  jjarticuhirly  caUed  to  the 
subject  by  President  Jackson,  in  his  message  of 
February,  1837.* 

Connnittees  of  both  houses  of  Congress  to  Avliicli 
this  message  Avas  referred,  endorsed  liis  o])inion  of 
the  character  of  the  outrages  of  AA-liich  IMc.xico  had 
been  guilty,  and  recommended  one  more  demand 
for  redi-ess  before  a  declaration  of  ^ytu\  or  tlie  issu- 

*  "  Tlic  Icrgtii  of  time  since  some  of  the  injuries  have  hoen  com- 
mitted, the  repeated  and  unavailing  apph'oations  for  redress,  the  wanton 
character  of  some  of  tlio  outrages  upon  the  property  anil  persons  of  our 
citizens,  upon  tho  officers  and  flag  of  tho  United  States,  independent  of 
recent  insults  to  this  Government  and  people  hy  the  late  extraordinary 
Mexican  minister,  would  justify  in  the  eyes  of  all  nations  immediate  war." 
— Message  of  General  JncAson,  February,  1837. 


1'  ( t  ].  K      ADMINISTRATION, 


115 


ance  of  letters  of  reprisal.  On  the  12tli  July,  1837, 
a  (lemaiul  was  made  upon  ^lexico,  through  ix 
special  messenger  disj)atche(l  to  that  country.  The 
reply  of  the  Government  was  made  on  the  *_Mtth  of 
July,  in  which  they  e.\i)ressed  the  anxious  wish  that 
the  equitable  adjustment  of  existing  difJicnlties 
might  not  Le  delayed.  These  ])ledges  weie  solenndy 
made  only  to  Le  Lroken.  The  attention  of  Congi'ess 
was  again  called  to  the  matter  hy  Mr.  Van  I^uren, 
in  December,  1837.  Another  nei^otiation  was  en- 
tered  ujion,  with  the  usual  number  of  pledges  upon 
the  part  of  Mexico.  This  negotiation,  after  more 
than  a  year  had  elapsed,  })rodu(ed  the  convention  of 
April,  1839.  The  Board  of  Commissioners  to  act 
upon  the  claims,  met  in  the  month  of  August,  1840, 
and  by  the  terms  of  the  conventi(»n  they  were  re- 
quired to  terminate  their  labors  Avithin  eighteen 
months  thereafter.  The  time  expired  in  February, 
18-42,  leaving  many  claims  unadjusted.  Those  al- 
lowed amounted  to  two  millions  twenty-six  thousand 
one  hundred  and  thirty-nine  dollars  and  Rixty-eight 
cents.  Nearly  a  million  of  dollars  Avas  left  without 
being  decided  upon ;  besides  these  claims,  there  AA'ere 
vjthers,  amounting  to  nearly  three  and  a  half  mil- 
lions, Avhich  the  Ixiard  had  not  time  to  act  upon. 
The  sum,  however,  adjudicated,  was  a  positive  debt 
clue,  about  which  there  could  l)e  no  ec^ui vocation. 
The  ]\Iexican  government  asked  a  jiostponement  of 
tlie  payment  of  this  sum  until  a  future  day.  This 
request  was  acceded  to,  on  the  30th  of  January, 
1843,  upon  condition  that  the  principal  and  interest 
accruing  thereon,  should  be  paid  in  five  years,  in 


IIG 


n  I  8  T  O  K  Y     OF     THE 


equal  instalments  eveiy  tliree  months.  The  result 
of  this  iorbeiimnce  was  the  paynicnt  aluiie  of  the 
interest  due  on  the  !5()th  of  Aj)ril,  184;!,  and  three 
out  of  the  twenty  instalments.  A  third  conventitm 
Wiis  conelud(Ml  at  the  city  of  Mexico  on  the  2(»th 
of  Novend)er,  184.'?,  for  the  adjustment  of  the 
claims  due  our  citizens.  As  usual  the  teiins  of  this 
convention  Avere  violated.  IIow  can  the  conduct 
of  JVIexico  in  thus  wholly  disregarding  hei-  ti-eaty 
stipulations  he  excused?  If  these  accumulated 
wrongs  had  been  committed  by  om;  of  the  powers 
of  Europe,  war  Avould  have  been  the  inevitable  i-e- 
sult.  It  renders  imperative  the  j>romidgation  of  the 
doctrine,  that  while  we  will  rei.der  strict  justice  to 
all  nations,  we  will  exact  it  from  them  in  return. 

Having  thus  briefly  referred  to  the  re})eated  in- 
sults committed  hy  Mexico,  followed  by  a  total  dis- 
regard of  solemn  treaty  stipulations,  I  will  proceed 
to  show  how  forbearance  upon  our  part,  only  tended 
to  augment  their  insolence,  until  they  consummated 
their  national  folly  l)y  the  invasion  of  ou^-  tei-ritory. 

Circulars  were  issued  by  the  Mexican  Seci-etaiy  of 
War  to  the  Mexican  commanders,  to  raise  troops 
for  the  purpose  of  waging  w^ar  against  the  United 
States.*  The  annexation  of  Texas  to  this  country 
was  characterized  as  an  act  of  })erfidy.  These  cir- 
culars were  followed,  the  ensuing  month,  hy  ad- 
dresses to  the  troops  under  their  command,  by  the 
Mexican  Generals.f     Nothing  could  be  more  ex- 

•  Circulars    of  Garcia  Conde,  Mexican  Secretary  of  War   of  July 
12th,  and  July  16th,  1845. 
I  "  Comrades  :  The  Sup-eme  Executive  has  sent  to  me,  by  express, 


POLK     ADMINISmATION, 


117 


))ll(Mt  tliiiii  these  (It'clnmtionH.  'Die  torio  of  tlieir 
dispiitdits  and  iuldivsses  were  ox('('e(lin;,'ly  warlike, 
and  the  note  of  i)n']mvation  was  lieard  tlii'oiii^diout 
M(^vi(;o.  Tlie  popular  feelini,'  was  aroused  to  such 
a  (let(re«  of  enthusiasm,  that  a  violent  assault  was 
made  upon  the  pacific  policy  of  Ilerrera.  A  mani- 
festo was  promulgated  against  him  l»y  the  army  of 
reserve,*  the  ground  f(ji'  which  was,  tlie  agnjement 

the  news  that  tho  United  States,  in  pursuance  of  their  nmhitioux  views, 
liave  taken  possession  of  tho  department  of  Texas  ;  he  had  demanded  a 
declaration  of  war  from  Coni,'ress  i*„rainst  that  unjust  nation. 

"  Tlie  time  to  tii;ht  is  come.  We  must  prepare  with  the  ardor  inspired 
hy  duty  and  patriotism,  when  an  attack  is  made  upon  tho  soil,  tho  honor, 
and  tlie  pride  of  the  nation. 

"  Arms  are  the  only  arguments  to  n.se  afjainst  handitti  and  men  with- 
out good  faith.  Let  us  hripo  for  that  justice  which  is  invoked  I)y  all 
society,  and  the  decision  of  tho  civilized  world. 

"  Large  hodies  of  troops  are  (m  their  march ;  they  will  suon  ho  liere, 
to  share  our  danger.4  and  repulse  tho  enemy." — A(l<ln;is  of  (inicral 
Arista  to  his  tn>(>ii!s,iin  llw  VllhnfAiiiiust,  IS  15. 

"Soldiers!  A  rapacious  and  grasping  race  have  thrown  themselves 
upon  our  territory,  and  dare  to  flatter  themselves  that  wo  will  not  defend 
the  patrimony  which  our  forefathers  conquered  with  their  hlood.  They 
deceive  themselves  :  wo  will  fly  to  snatch  from  them  the  spoils,  the  pos- 
session of  which  they  are  impudently  enjoying;  and  they  shall  learn  hy 
dearly  hought  experience,  that  they  are  not  ccmtending  with  the  undisci- 
plined tribes  of  Indians  whom  they  rohhod  of  their  land,  their  heaven,  and 
their  country  ;  and  that  tho  Mexicans  will  ardently  ctmihat  the  soldiers  of 
a  nation  which  has  sanctioned  hy  its  laws  the  most  degrading  slavery." — 
Address  of  (ti'iirral  Pamirs  In  his  Iroiijis  on  Ihr  'Slth  of  Aiifiiisl,  18  1,0. 

*  "Had  repeatedly  thwarted  the  purpose  of  the  army  to  move  upon 
Texas  ;  and  at  the  same  timu  allowed  the  army  to  he  vililied  for  its  inac- 
tion hy  otTicial  journals ;  tliat  it  had  admitted  a  commissioner,  [meaning 
Mr.  Slidell,]  with  whom  it  was  endeavoring  to  arrange  for  the  loss  of  tho 
integrity  of  the  republic  ;  tliat  it  liad  reduced  the  country  almost  to  a 
stote  of  anarchy,  in  the  midst  of  which  it  existed,  without  revenue,  without 
power,  and  almost  without  will ;  that  these  evils  clemaniled  an  iinmediate 
remedy,  and  that  tho  administration  confessed  its  total  incompelencv  :iiid 
powerlessness ;  that  it  has  lost  all  respectability,  so  necessary  to  a  govern- 


% 


\ 


JASPKH  J.IHHAUY, 
<)ri»au«}  yHiiviih  I^in.l^f 


118 


HISTOKY     OF     THE 


to  receive  a  C(>nimissit)ner  from  tlie  Ignited  States. 
Another  I'evolutioij  succeetled.  Ilerrera  \vm  foi'ced 
to  resign  on  the  thirtieth  of  Deceni1)er,  1^45,  jind 
was  su[)orse(le(l  hy  General  Pareiles.^'  All  these 
exciting  events  preceded  the  march  c)f  fJeiiei-al  Tay- 
lor to  the  Rio  Grande.  Tlie  order  directing  him  to 
take  position  n])on  that  river,  was  not  issued  lu.til 
the  13th  of  January,  l(S4(j,  and  was  not  received 
hy  him  imtil  the  4th  of  February  following. 

That  war  Avas  regarded  hy  the  ^I(!.\ican  (rov- 
ernment  as  their  only  recourse,  is  evident  fi'om  the 
letter  of  the  Mexican  Seci-etary  of  Foreign  Aflairs 
to  our  Minister,  hearing  date  ^larch  12,  1840.1 
As  a  proof  of  the  determinati(tn  of  Paredes.  to  make 
good  his  protestations,  he  issued  on  the  4th  of  April, 

ment,  and  had  allowed  a  plenipotentiary  of  thn  United  States  to  set  foot  in 
the  country,  and  reside  in  the  capit;il,  witii  a  view  to  bargain  for  the  inde- 
pendence and  nationality  of  the  country,  for  which  have  been  made  so 
many  saprifices." — Manifeatn  issued  at  fian  Luis  Polosi,  dfrainsl  thf  ffov- 
ernwnl  (f  lle.rn'rn,  \Alh  Deci'mhnr,  1845. 

*  "  The  year  181G  witnessed  at  its  commeiicement  new  rulers  figuring 
in  the  political  drama,  having  lieen  elevated  to  power  by  another  revolution. 
General  Paredes  pronounced  in  San  Luis  against  Herrera.  A  few  days 
were  sufficient  for  this  siiameful  revolution  to  become  a  triumph  the 
most  complete.  Then  Mr.  Slidcll  renewed  his  suit,  in  con.sidering  that, 
although  the  old  had  been  terminated  by  a  refusal,  still,  as  the  business 
now  went  into  new  hap  's  to  be  transacted,  it  was  a  favorable  opportunity 
to  see  if  he  should  meet  in  them  a  better  disposition." — Mexican  Ilistouj 
nf  the  War  with  Mexico. 

f  "  A  fart  such  as  this,  or,  to  speak  with  greater  exactness,  so  notable 
an  net  of  usurpation,  created  an  imperious  necessity  that  .Mexico,  for  her 
own  honor,  should  repel  it  v.ith  proper  liriiniess  and  dignity.  The  Su- 
premr-  Oovernuient  had  beforehand  declared  that  it  would  look  U|)on  such 
an  act  as  a  casus  l)elli ;  and,  as  n  consequence  of  this  declaration,  negotia- 
tion was,  by  its  very  nature,  at  an  end,  and  war  was  the  only  recourse  of 
thi  ^texican  Government." — L'tler  nf  the  Mexiran  Sreretary  fur  Foreign 
Affairs  to  the  American  Minister,  V2th  March,  1840. 


;-;' 


, 


POLK     ADJriNISTKATION. 


IW 


33. 

lid 

jse 

jy- 

ii 

Ml 


1846,  to  the  Mexican  commander  on  the  T^^j^-** 
frontier,  an  order  to  "  attack"  our  forces  "  ]>y  n-!r*-'rj 
means  which  war-  permits,"  And  on  tlie  ]  >>t!<  n/f 
the  same  month,  he  wrote  to  Ampudia  tljat  h*-;  yret^ 
sumed  lie  was  at  the  head  of  a  valiant  aj-jjjv^  aj^ 
ready  fighting,  or  pre])aring  frir  the  oj>eratJ<>nt«  '/f  a 
campaign*  It  shoidd  not  Ije  foi-gotten  tliat  iKnf 
charges  made  against  our  Government,  m)  ihn  J  ith 
of  March,  1846,  Avas  on  account  of  our  "  uHUJ-j/atiifjH 
of  their  territory."  And  for  that,  it  was  (IwkrfrKl 
that  war  was  the  only  recoiii*se  of  the  S{M%u:mi 
Government.  No  allusion  was  made  to  the  umrch 
of  General  Taylor  to  the  llio  Grande.  An<l  at  iIhk* 
time  Ampudia  was  ordered  to  "  attjick"  ouj-  i'm'.*-:^ 
it  could  not  have  been  known  in  Mexico  that  «mr 
army  was  in  motion,  freneral  Tayloj-  not  \mrm<^ 
started  for  the  llio  Grande  until  the  lltJi  <A' W^^nM^ 
1846. 

In  oljedience  to  these  oi'ders  frcjni  the  iUinm'h 
ment  of  Mexico,  Arista  crossed  the  Ki<>  (*mitii(il<i!' 
with  a  strong  forcr,  and  commenced  an  attax^k  yjixyn 
the  American  troops,  and  tlms  a  state  of  war  if-'jswlt- 
ed  between  the  two  countries. 

Tlie  indignation  Avhlch  some  of  our  t>v:n  taU'/Kv» 
have  manifested  since  the  war  w  ith  M(^\ico  \\:m  njft- 
clared,  liecause  we  wert;  engnged  \n  a  <'oiji35(<rll  (4 
arms  with  a  so-called  siste)'  repiihUc^  disjilav*  tw/r^ 


/ 


*  "  At  the  present  date  I  suppose  you  at  the  head  of  that  I'jilhiiMt  wmv. 
either  fifrhtinir  nlrendy,  or  preparing  for  tiie  operatioiis  of  a  wtti^'isfw ;" 
anil  "  supposing  you  already  oti  tiie  tlieatre  of  operationf,  mA  ■wiflV  nlTf 
the  forces  assembled,  it  is  indispensable  that  hostilities  be  wnuMwiwi'if, 
yourself  taking  the  initiative  against  the  enemy." — Jj>^li^  '/  (i'vu^nt 
Parede.x  In  Uencral  An}]iU(li(i,  April  18,'.'!,  184<). 


\ 


'  .    V 


"\ 


^V-^^rc^ 


'   -^nj 


^ 


120 


n  I S  T  O  n  Y     O  I-     THE 


partisan  animosity,  than  (lisci-iiniiiating  jiid^mient. 
Mexico  does  not  deserve  the  apj»eliuti<>n  c^f  a  repul>lic. 
Eighteen  revolutions  have  taken  ])lace  in  that  coun- 
try within  the  hist  twenty-five  yf^ars.  Not  peaceaTjle 
revolutions,  eftected  a';  the  ballot  l^ox,  but  accom- 
plished by  the  sword  ;  some  of  them  bh^odless  it  is 
true,  yet  effected  by  treachery,  vi«;h.'nce,  and  force. 
Priiicii)le  is  unknown  in  the  arliiiiiiisti-ation  of  pub- 
lic affairs,  and  if  we  excej»t  (Jomcz  Farias,  and  a 
few  other  kindred  spirits,  the  destiny  of  Mexico  has 
been  controlled  by  men  who  do  not  deserve  the 
blessings  of  free  institutions,  anrl  are  unworthy  of 
being  associnted  with  the  Anglo  Saxon  race.  The 
conflict  Avith  Mexico  has  been  made  the  {)retext  for 
an  assault  upon  Mr.  Polk,  unjmi'alleh;d  in  the  history 
of  })olitical  warfare.  The  motives  of  the  adminis- 
tration and  its  supportei's  were  assailed  upon  the 
floor  of  Congress,  uj)on  the  stump,  and  by  the  press, 
with  unprecedented  ferocity.  The  English  lan- 
gurge  wiVA  exhausted  in  the  selection  of  al)usive  and 
opprobrious  epithets  to  be  ])Oured  ujjon  the  liead  ()f 
Mr.  Polk.  Party  animosity  i'ag(;d  with  uncontrol- 
lable fury,  and  the  political  and  personal  enemies  of 
the  President,  in  seeking  to  pr<»sti'atfr  him,  unfortu- 
nately arrayed  themselves  in  o|»positioh  to  a  war 
forced  upon  us  by  an  arrogant  and  perfidious  enemy. 
It  will  not  ])e  h'ft  to  posterity  to  settle  the  measure 
of  ignominy,  Avhich  justly  attaches  to  conduct  so 
unjiatriotic. 

The  adherence  to  ])ai*tisan  leaders,  winch  at  all 
times  is  too  ardent,  for-  a  bi-iff  jwriod  sustained 
the  opposition  mem1>ers  of  Congress  in  the  cause 


POLK     AD3ITXISTRATION, 


121 


wliicli  tliey  pin-sued.  But  -vvlien  i-cason  liad  resum- 
ed its  swtiy,  fiud  tlie  conduct  of  the  adniinistratioii 
liad  been  calmly  examined,  it  Avas  sustained  liy  ti 
majority  of  the  Amei'icau  pe()[)le.  Even  at  the 
l)resent  day,  j\Iexico  is  considered  the  a^i'irressor ; 
and  the  summary  and  terrible  punishment  which 
was  inflicted  upon  lier,  is  now  regarded  as  an  act 
of  justice,  which  at  the  same  time  vindicated  our 
own  chai'acter,  and  chastised  the  presumi)tion  and 
treachery  of  a  perfidioas  peoj)le.* 

*  '•  Tlio  country,  wliicli  one  year  ago  was  quiet  and  prosperous,  at 
peace  with  tlie  world,  and  smiling  luider  tlie  profusion  of  Heaven's  lionn- 
tifiil  lunnilicence,  by  tlie  sole  and  antliorizcd  actof  the  President,  has  been 
plunged  into  an  unnecessary  and  expensive  war,  the  end  and  fearful  con- 
sequences of  which  no  man  can  foresee.  And  to  suppress  injury,  and 
silence  all  opposition  to  conduct  so  monstrous,  an  Executive  ukase  has 
been  sent  forth,  strongly  intimating,  if  not  clearly  threatening,  the  charge 
of  Irrnaan  against  all  who  may  dare  to  call  in  question  the  wisdom  or 
propriety  of  his  measures.  Not  only  was  Congress,  which  possesses  ex- 
clusively the  war-making  power,  never  consulted  upon  the  subject  until 
after  lin>tilities  were  conunenced,  but  the  right  is  even  now  denied  that 
body  to  make  any  legislative  expression  of  the  national  will  as  to  the 
aims  and  objects  for  which  the  war  should  he  prosecuted.  The  new 
and  strange  doctrine  is  now  put  forth,  that  Congress  has  nothing  to  do 
with  the  conduct  of  war ;  that  the  President  is  entitled  to  its  uncontrol- 
led management ;  that  we  can  do  nothing  but  vote  men  and  money, 
to  whatever  amount  and  extent  his  folly  or  caprice  may  dictate. 
Neighboring  States  may  be  subjugated,  extensive  territories  amiexed, 
provincial  goveniments  erected,  the  rights  of  conscience  violated,  and 
tlie  oath  of  allegiance,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  may  be  administer- 
ed to  n  mixed  popidation,  embracing  nil  variety  of  races,  languages,  and 
color,  and  the  representatives  of  the  people  are  to  say  nothing  against 
these  extraordinary  outrages  against  the  first  principles  of  their  (lovern- 
ment,  or  render  themselves  obnoxious  to  the  imputation  of  giving  'aid 
and  comfort  to  the  enemy.'  This  is  nothing  less  than  the  assumption 
of  the  principle,  that  patriotism  consists  in  pliant  subserviency  to  Kxe- 
cutive  will ;  that  the  Presiilent  is  supreme,  and  the  '  King  can  do  no 
wrong.'"' — Sjiicch  iif  Mr.  Sicj'h'-nf.of  (iniri^ia,  m  the  Ilniise  of  Rfpre- 
sentiithfx,  Fclininri/  l2/h,  18-17. 

"  I  do  not,  at  this  time,  intend  to  discuss  the  causes  of  the  war,  or  to 


'.1 


122 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


The  distinct  charges  matle  upon  the  fl<-or  of 
Congress  agaiast  the  administration,  were,  th  it  by 
marching  the  army  beyond  the  Xueces,  they  trod 

recount  tlio  blunders  and  folly  of  the  President,  connected  witli  its 
origin.  This  I  Imve  done  upon  a  former  occasit.i ;  and  all  the  facts,  I 
believe,  are  now  well  understood  by  the  country.  The  President  may  re- 
peat, as  often  as  he  pleases,  that  it  was  '  unavoidably  forced  upon  us.' 
But  such  a  repetition  can  never  change  the  fact.  It  is  a  war  of  his  own 
makinn;,  and  in  violation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  country.  And  so  his- 
tory, I  doubt  not,  will  make  up  the  record,  if  truth  be  fairly  and  faithfully 
registered  in  her  chronicles." — lb. 

"  While  the  United  States  seemed  to  be  animated  by  a  sincere  desire 
not  to  break  the  peace,  their  acts  of  hostility  manifested  very  evidently 
what  wore  their  true  intentions.  Their  ships  infested  our  coasts  ;  their 
troops  continued  advancing  upon  our  territory,  situated  at  places  which 
under  no  aspect  could  be  disputed.  Thus  violence  and  insult  were  united: 
thus,  at  the  very  time  they  usurped  part  of  our  territory,  they  offered  to 
us  the  hand  of  treachery,  to  have  soon  the  audacity  to  say,  that  our  obsti- 
nacy and  arrogance  were  the  real  cause  of  the  war. 

"  As  soon  as  the  Government  of  the  United  States  decided  to  consum- 
mate its  unjust  projects  against  the  American  Republic,  it  determined  to 
unite  a  force  to  sustain  them.  A  considerable  division  under  the  orders 
of  General  Taylor,  then  a  Brigadier  General,  encamped  at  Corpus  Christi, 
June,  1845,  in  observation  of  our  operations,  and  ready  to  advance  to  the 
Rio  Bravo  Del  Norte,  when  ordered." — Mexican  History  of  the  War  in 
Mexico. 

"  With  these  views  and  these  feelings,  and  with  this  spirit,  I  go  into 
the  investigation  of  the  cause  of  this  war,  the  expenditure  of  so  much 
money,  the  raising  of  so  large  and  great  a  military  force,  and  the  breaking 
up  of  the  repose  of  that  general  peace  with  which  we  have  been  so  sig- 
nally blessed  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  This  is  the  inquiry  upon 
which  I  am  about  to  enter;  it  is  a  grave  and  important  inquiry, and  one  to 
which  the  attention  of  the  people  of  this  country  should  b«  directed  ;  and 
I  assert  in  my  place,  that  the  immediate  cause  of  all  these  things,  and  the 
present  unkraked  for  state  of  affairs,  is  properly  chargeable  upon  the  ad- 
ministration ;  for  the  advance  movement  of  our  troops,  or  '  army  of  oc- 
cupation,' as  it  is  called,  from  Corpus  Christi,  on  the  Nueces,  to  Matamoras, 
on  the  Rio  Grande,  into  a  territory,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  well  known  to 
be  in  dispute  between  Texas  and  Jlexico;  this,  I  say,  was  the  immediate 
occasion  of  hostilities  ;  and  if  our  army  had  been  permitted  to  reipain  at 
Corpus  Christi,  where  it  had  been  since  August  last,  there  is  no  evi- 


m 


, 


POLK     A  D  >r  I  X  I  S  T  R  A  T  I  O  N  . 


123 


upon  ^lexican  i*oil,  and  thus  the  war  was  com- 
menced by  Mr.  Polk  ])y  an  unconstitutional  as- 
sumption of  j»ower.  The  question  raised  was  one 
of  the  gravest  character.  The  war-making  i)Ower, 
as  was  jastly  asserted,  is  vested  1)y  that  instrument 
in  Omgre-t^,  and  not  in  the  Executive.  It  thei-efore 
becomes  an  important  inquiry  in  these  pages  to 
ascertain  where  was  the  boundary  of  Texas  at  the 
time  she  was  admitted  into  the  Union.*     If  the 


dence  or  rea^mn  to  believe  that  there  would  have  been  any  outbreak  be- 
tween our  people  and  the  Mexicans,  upon  the  frontier.  This  is  my  first 
projKif-ition  in  coresiderinj?  the  cause  of  this  war,  which  I  trust  I  shall  be 
able  to  niake  perfectly  clear ;  and  then  I  trust  I  shall  be  able  to  make  it 
appear  e<juajly  clear,  that  that  step  was  unnecessary  for  any  of  the  legiti- 
mate purj«i#»  fur  which  the  army  was  sent  to  Texas  ;  also,  that  it  was 
improper,  under  the  circnmstinces,  as  being  calculated  to  irritate  and  pro- 
voke ho<5tiijtie!f ;  and  farther,  that  it  was  a  step  which  the  President  was 
not  clothed  with  the  proper  power  legally  and  rightfully  to  take,  without 
authority  from  C<>n^ess.'' — Sjiffch  nf  Mr.  Sifphnis  <if  Oi'orgia. 

*  Much  vaJiiaWe  information  is  contained  in  the  letter  of  Hon. 
Volney  E.  liowanl  at  the  commencement  of  the  1st  Session  of  the  31st 
C!ongresg.  Representing  the  country  which  tordcrs  upon  the  Rio  Giande 
in  CongresB,  he  ia.*  f«en  enabled  to  group  together  many  facts  with  re- 
gard to  the  Ujundary  of  Texas.     I  give  below  an  extract  from  it. 

"  Tlie  claim  of  Texas  to  the  whole  Rio  Grande,  from  its  mouth  to  its 
Bource,  and  to  the  42d  degree  of  north  latitude,  will  never,  be  contested 
by  any  intelligent  lawyer  who  takes  the  trouble  to  investigate  the  grounds 
upon  which  it  r»?«t.f.  There  is  no  greater  fallacy  than  tliat  of  supposing 
tliat  the  United  Htates  sncceeded  to  the  rights  of  Mexico  in  any  |)ortion 
of  the  territory  east  of  the  Rio  Grande.  Between  the  Republic  of  Texas 
and  tlie  United  frtate*,  the  question  of  boundary  was  settled  tiiially  and 
conclusively  by  the  Convention  of  1838,  which  received  the  siinctinn  of 
tlie  legislative  departments  of  both  Governments.  The  treaty  with  Spain 
of  181(<.  fixed  the  northern  bf)iind:iry  l)etwcen  Spain  and  the  United  Slates 
at  the  4-id  fnrallel  of  latitude.  The  treiity  of  1828  revived  that  boundary 
betwwn  tlie  United  .States  and  .Mexico,  reciting  that  the  treaty  of  1819 
was  binding  npKi  Mexico.  The  Convr'ntion  lietweon  Texas  and  the 
Unit«'<l  State*,  of  \*i3H.  recited  that  the  treaty  with  Mexico  of  1828,  '  is 
birid^g  uptm  tlie  KepnbUr  of  Texa.«,  the  same  Imving  been  entered  into 


>< 


«- 


124 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Rio  Grande  was  the  western  limit  of  that  State,  it 
is  an  undeniable  foct  that  the  President,  as  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  army,  had  a  right  to  order 

at  a  time  when  Texas  formed  a  part  of  tl'.e  said  United  Mexican  States. 
And  wiiereus,  it  is  deemed  proper  and  expedient,  in  order  to  prevent  future 
disputes  and  colli.sions  between  tlie  United  States  and  Texas  in  regard  to 
the  houndari/  between  the  two  countries  as  designated  hij  the  treaty,  tliut  a 
portion  of  tiie  same  should  be  run  and  marked  without  tmnecessary  de- 
lay,' &.C.  This  Convention  was  ratified  and  carried  out  by  the  act  of  tiio 
United  States  Congress  of  Jainiary  11,  1839,  nnder  which  the  eastern 
boundary  of  Texas  was  actually  run  and  marked  by  the  two  Governments 
as  far  as  the  34th  degree  of  north  latitude.  The  very  act  under  which 
this  Convention  was  negotiated  upon  the  part  of  Texas,  was  her  boim- 
dary  act  of  184G,  by  which  her  boundary  is  declared  to  bo  liio  Rio  (iraiido 
to  its  source ;  and  thence  to  the  42d  degree  of  north  latitude ;  and  tlirnce 
east  mid  south  according  to  the  boundary  formerly  existing  between  the 
United  States  and  Mexico.  This  Convention  was  an  express  recognition 
of  the  entire  liounilary  of  Texas,  and  made  with  reference  to  the  act  of 
the  'I'exas  Congress  of  1836.  Whatever  might  have  been  its  effect  upon 
Mexico,  this  Convention  is  for  ever  amclusiie  of  the  boundary  as  against 
the  United  States,  by  an  act  as  solemn  as  a  treaty  stipulation. 

"  The  Texas  act  of  boundary,  together  with  other  laws  not  inconsist- 
ent with  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  the  resolutions  of  annex- 
ation, or  tlie  constitution  of  the  State,  was  declared  m  force  by  the  con- 
stitution under  which  she  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  and  therefore 
ratified  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

"  Texas  was  admitted  into  the  Union  with  specified  boundaries,  subject 
only  to  the  right  of  the  United  States  to  settle  'all  questions  of  boundary 
which  may  arise  with  other  Governments ' — meaning,  of  cour.'e,  (Jov- 
ernments  other  than  the  United  States.  This  was  a  naked  power,  coupled 
witli  no  interest,  which  must  bo  strictly  construed.  Under  it  the  Texas 
boundary,  with  any  foreign  Government,  might  have  been  settled.  But 
as  the  late  treaty  with  Mexico  removed  the  possibility  of  such  a  question 
with  any  nihrr  Government,  the  power  is  at  an  end.  Neither  could  the 
United  States,  thus  acting  as  the  trustee  of  Texas  to  settle  the  boundary 
with  other  Governments,  acquire  of  any  Government  a  right  in  opposi- 
tion to  the  claim  of  Texas.  To  assert  such  a  proposition,  is  to  affirm 
that  tlie  trustee  may  acquire  the  sid)ipct-matter  of  the  trust,  in  opposition 
to  the  beneficiary  ;  or  that  the  judge  or  arbitrator  may  adjudge  the  subject 
of  controversy  to  himself,  in  opposition  to  the  parties  litigant.  It  is  evi- 
dent that  wliatever  right  the  United  States  acquired  under  the  treaty  with 


POLK     ADMINJSTRATION, 


125 


it  to  the  banks  of  that  river.  If,  on  the  contrary, 
the  Nueces  was  the  boundary  of  Texas,  the  powera 
of  Congress  were  encroached  upon  when  General 

Mexico  to  the  country  east  of  the  Rio  Grande,  was  acqui  s  the  trustee 
of  Texas,  and  enures  to  the  bcnelit  of  that  State. 

"  The  United  States,  imving  neglected  to  settle  the  boundary  in  the 
treaty  with  Mexico,  have  now  no  constitutional  power  to  change  or  alter 
the  boundary  of  Texas,  atiy  more  tlian  that  of  any  other  sovereign  State. 
It  was  admitted  in  the  case  of  JIaino,  that  this  Government,  without  the 
consent  of  Maine,  could  not  negotiate  for  less  than  the  clahn  of  Maine. 
In  his  remarks  on  the  resolutions  of  annexation,  in  the  Senate,  February 
6th,  1845,  Col.  Benton  said:  'In  fact,  when  once  admitted  as  a  State, 
she  (Texas)  never  can  be  reduced  without  Iter  consent.  The  Constitu- 
tion fcjrbids  it.'  Having  given  her  consent  to  the  alteration  only  in  a 
particular  manner,  it  cannot  Ix)  effected  in  any  different  method. 

"  The  joint  resolutions  of  anncxiition  evidently  intended  that  the  whole 
of  New  Mexico  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande  should  be  embraced 
within  the  State  of  Texas,  because  they  give  three  guarantees  applicable 
to  this  very  country  :  1.  That  Texas  may  be  sulxiivided  into  five  States. 
2.  That  ill  any  Stale  south  of  36"  3o'  (the  Missouri  compromise  line), 
slavery  may  exist  at  the  option  of  the  jjcople  of  the  same.  3.  That  in 
any  State  or  States  to  be  formed  north  of  tliat  line,  Slavery  is  prohibited. 
Now,  the  Missouri  compromise  line  divides  the  country  formerly  com- 
prised in  New  Mexico,  east  of  the  Rio  Grande,  nearly  centrally — Santa 
Fi'  being  situated  in  almut  latitude  35°  45'  north.  It  is  incomprehensible 
that  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  should  have  thus  provided  for  the 
domestic  government  of  this  very  territory,  as  a  part  of  Texas,  if  it  was 
in  Mexico  and  not  in  Texas.  By  what  right  could  the  United  States,  in 
a  compact  with  Texas,  assume  to  regulate  the  government  of  a  depart- 
ment of  Mexico,  and  make  rules  for  its  admission  as  a  State  into  the 
American  Union  ?  The  resolutions  of  annexation,  in  terms,  define  the 
boundaries  of  Texas  to  the  extent  of  one  or  more  States  north  of  36°  30'. 
They  assert  expressly  that  to  this  extent  the  country  rightfully  belongs 
to  Texas,  and  is  included  within  her  limits.  And  the  limit  of  one  State, 
thus  given,  will  include  the  whole  of  New  Mexico  east  of  the  Rio  Grande. 
There  is  a  fourth  guarantee  given  by  the  compact  of  annexation,  as  appli- 
cable to  this  territory  east  of  the  Rio  Grande.  If  a  new  State  is  not 
formed  wholly  to  the  north  of  36°  30',  slavery  exists  in  Texas  to  the 
42d  degree  of  north  latitude.  It  exists  at  present  under  the  constitution 
with  which  the  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union.  When  Texas  was 
admitted,  by  her  law  slavery  existed  to  her  utmost  extent,  and  no  restraint 


m 


V2i', 


n  I  rf  T  O  It  Y     0  F     THE 


Taylor  w**  ordered  to  Corpus  CLristi,  and  the  wliig 
pui-ty,  vt'hn  pretend  to  Ite  the  conservators  of  the 
c<^ijj»tjtutjcrfi,  were  not  tliemselves  entirely  guiltless 

was  jy!*'::H  ti^Ksu  if  hy  the  rp-!o1titi(iiis  of  iinncxntion,  but  the  prospective 
\n<>\W)tm  U>  f^K'nU:  in  ca^a  a  Stnto  was  fbnned  north  of  3ti°  30'.  Nay, 
Uiorv,  »!*<?  rcWfttions  j;ive  aiiotiicr  jriuiraritcc,  not  only  to  Texas,  but  to 
'nnr  t:{t-44f)f?,  a.^  appiirahlo  to  this  territory,  in  pledging  her  public  lands 
totl*<?  jwyw^iwf  lyi  her  public  debt. 

'■* 'Viw  Umu(Wf\c^  <ii  Texas,  as  above-mentioned,  wore  defined  in  the 
treaty  »rf|l»  Hantji  Anna,  which  was  a  valid  treaty,  because  lie  represented 
a  V,i)\ttimiilA  i\<*,  only  de  facln,  but  de  jure — tlic  federal  consiitHtion 
\mm'^  U-ms  f)^rTTnrncd,  and  the  States  reduced  to  depiirtinents ;  all  of 
v/\m-M,  U^j()4iKrf  with  hi.s  authority,  wore  ratified  by  the  Congress  of  Mcx- 
iwj  JH  t^Z'»,  \»T  was  the  treaty  ufTocted  by  the  lact  that  Santa  Anna 
was  «  jyfii.w^/rf  of  war  at  the  time  of  its  execution,  because  it  was  oxe- 
cutiad  ly  l»ii<  sf^'Ti^'rals  who  were  not  prisoners,  and  especially  by  Filisola, 
g)x«  wfiKWii,.  fiy  [aw  and  special  appointment,  the  authority  of  the  com- 
uiiUid  «*|J  llln'r  facnltie*  of  chief  devolved.  The  treaty  was  valid  without 
Um^  tHpmtmfi  (li  Hanfa  Anna;  and  Mexico  iiaving  acted  on  it,  and  re- 
I'Aihtd  tiifi  U^rfd  of  its  stipulations,  could  not,  under  the  law  of  nations, 
repudiait/?  iiJ  aftwwfirds — certainly  not  without  returning  tiie  properly  and 
Uiiyifufj  »*/•«•«  which  were  secured  to  her  by  the  treaty. 

"  %l'-^'if:f,  >M"rself  virtually  acknowledged  the  boundary  of  the  treaty  by 
Iter  triM:*f  fA  t^H,  and  ordered  all  the  Mexican  settlements  a  league  bc- 
y<>t)4  tiift  Mi/i  (it,mi\f:  tf)  be  broken  up,  and  tiic  inhabitants  to  fall  back  on 
tlv' lii'<  <,lr»iiiii'— treating  all  as  traitors  found  beyond  that  line,  at  least 
tm  il¥i  ii/»ff  Uio  (Jrande.  The  Mexican  Commissioners  who  negotiated 
tiif  fffitifM  ircufy,  iavc  admitted  that  the  Rio  Grande  had  been  indicated 
a«  ti)»i  hftitwhry  for  twelve  years.  The  American  Commissioner,  ilr. 
Trist-  itt  im  f:/'>rr'--pr)ridencc  with  tlio  Mexican  Government,  asserted  the 
\)i)»t*<kf'/rf  h',  Tf'xas  as  claimed  by  herself.  It  is  fair  to  prnsiune  that 
Jliemv)  iii!)i*ii?K'f*fl  io  provide  for  the  treaty  of  1836  with  Texas,  l)y  making 
DiAunti-Wf  r.iap  rif  18 17  a  piirt  of  the  treaty,  and  declaring  it  authentic  ; 
wlwi*  »iiiOi;*  «l'iows  the  whole  of  the  country  east  of  tiie  Rio  Grainle  to  bo 
iu  'JVswt*  ad'f  Sf\n  .Mexico,  as  detiued  by  tlie  map,  entirely  situated  west 
of  Uwit  Mi':f.  Tims  the  New  .Mexico,  acijuired  by  the  United  States,  is 
<lefiM<*J  *.»  «if  rmfed  west  of  the  Rio  Grande  hy  the  treaty.  Mexico  has 
U^minntti  n»')tbing  ea.st  of  that  river.  She  admitted  by  the  map  that  she 
ovitui  tt/^hituf  on  that  side  of  the  Rio  Grande  at  the  time  of  the  ratifi- 
C3iti<m  tA  t-itK  treaty. 

*'  I  <rw*t  tfwrt  the  rights  of  Texas  in  Santa  Fo  will  be  speedily  ad- 


POLK     A]>MIKISTKATION. 


127 


in  thuH  tamely  submitting  to  an  assumjition  of  tlieir 
constitutional  rights.  Long  before  the  IMcxicans 
crossed  the  Rio  Grande  and  commenced  an  assault 
upon  our  forces,  Mr.  Polk  had  apprised  Congress, 
in  the  usual  form,  in  his  message  of  Decembei-,  1 845, 
that  he  regarded  the  Ilio  Grande  as  the  western 
boundary  of  Texas,*  and  yet  no  word  of  denial  was 
uttered  by  those  who  subsequently  assailed  his  con- 
duct with  so  much  bitterness,  until  after  a  collision 
liad  occurred  between  the  armies  of  the  two  repub- 
lics. In  addition  to  this  assertion  of  Mr.  Polk, 
Tuade  in  a  messacre  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  the  assend)led  representatives  of  the 
American  people,  he  connnunicated  "  with  tlie  ac- 
companying documents,"  the  still  more  exj)licit  lan- 
guage of  the  Secretary  of  War.f     Our  ^Jinister, 

mittcd,  for  notliing  short  of  this  will  avoid  a  serious  collision  willi  her 
nutli./rities." 

*  "  The  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  which,  at  the  formation  of 
the  Federal  Constitution,  was  bounded  by  the  St.  .Mary's  on  the  Atlantic, 
has  passed  the  capos  of  Florida,  and  been  peacefully  extended  to  the 
Del  Korie."— Message  of  Ml .  I'nlk;  D.c  1845. 

f  "  Pursuant  to  your  directions,  an  army  of  occupation  was  nasem- 
liled  in  that  State,  and  Brigadier  fJonoral  Taylor  assigned  to  the  command 
of  it.  I  Ir  was  instructed  to  repel  Jle.xican  aggressions,  and  to  protect 
the  country  from  Indian  invasions ;  tn  regard  the  Del  Norte  as  the  west- 
ern bmindary ;  to  select  a  position  for  his  forces  with  reference  to  this 
frontier,  bnt  to  leave  unmolested  Mexicaii  fiottleinents,  and  also  military 
posts,  should  there  be  any  such  posts  on  the  east  bank  of  that  river  which 
were  in  the  occupation  of  Mexican  forces  previously  to  the  period  when 
Tex!  s  assented  to  the  terms  of  atmexation."  Should  Mcxicc.  deny  our 
right  to  possess  the  coimtry  up  to  the  Del  Norte  to  the  extent  justly 
claimed  by  Texas  before  annexation,  and  the  free  common  use  of  the  wa- 
ters of  that  river,  it  is  presumed  that  authority  will  be  given  to  enforce 
it  in  both  respects.  In  the  event  of  resistance,  there  may  be  occasion  to 
employ  an  additional  force,  and  authority  should  be  given  for  niisiug  it  in 
that  contingency.     In  a  more  desirable  state  of  our  relations  with  Mexi- 


fAHPEU  I^IJIUiAUV, 
Oi'^itU'i  Miirch  i«1854. 


128 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Mr.  Donalson,  assured  all  parties  in  Texas  that  our 
Government  would  sustain  the  claim  of  that  ccnin- 
try  to  the  Ilio  Grande,  as  her  western  Ijoundaiy.* 

After  aU  these  declarations  Avere  communicated 
to  Congress,  under  the  highest  official  responsihility, 
why  did  not  the  whig  party  raise  their  voices  against 
these  a -gumptions  u])on  the  part  of  the  Executive  ? 
Weeks  and  months  elapsed,  i)ut  still  no  serious  at- 
tempt was  made  to  arrest  what  they  suhsetpiently 
declared  to  he  the  usurpations  of  the  Pi-esident, 
until  hlood  had  been  si:>ilt  uj)on  the  hanks  of  the 
Rio  Grande.  And  then,  Avhen  wai'  actually  existed, 
and  our  gallant  soldiers  wei'e  sustauihig  against 
overwhelming  numhei-s  the  honor  of  our  flag,  it 
was  left  to  Membei-s  of  Congress  to  make  use  of 
an  after-thoiKjIit,  in  order  to  assail  the  administra- 
tion. 

Tlie  basis  of  the  accusations  against  Mr,  Polk 
were,  that  he  had  ordered  the  army  to  march  upon 
disputed  territory.  Tliis  was  true,  for  our  title  to 
the  whole  of  Texas,  not  only  to  the  Nueces,  l)ut  to 
the  Sabine,  was  disputed  by  the  Mexican  authori- 
ties. They  made  no  distinction  between  the  east- 
em  and  western  part  of  Texas,  and  whenever  they 
spoke  of  re-conquering  that  country,  it  was  u])on 
the  western  bank  of  the  Sabine  that  the  Mexican 


CO,  her  unsettled  political  condition  will  suggest,  as  a  wise  precaution,  the 
guarding  of  that  frontier  by  a  considerable  body  of  troops." 

♦  "  But  whilst  from  such  views  I  encouraged  no  aggressive  movement 
on  the  part  of  Texas,  to  take  forcible  possession  of  the  Rio  Grande,  I 
have,  nevertheless,  omitted  no  opportunity  of  satisfying  all  parties  here 
that  the  United  States  would,  in  good  faith,  maintain  the  claim,  and  that  I 
had  every  reason  to  believe  that  tliey  would  do  so  successfully." 


POLK     ADMINISTnATION. 


129 


Ijixiiner  was  to  l)c  i)lant(Hl.  If,  then,  tlie  act  of  or- 
dei'iug  our  army  to  march  upon  disputed  territory 
was  unconstitutional,  the  crime  of  which  tlie  Presi- 
dent was  accused,  was  consununated  tlie  moment 
the  stars  and  strijx's  were  unfurled  within  the  bor- 
ders of  Texas.  The  threatened  impeachment  of 
the  President  should  have  l)een  proclaimed  at  that 
time ;  and  those  who  have  j)i'ove(l  so  sensitive  at 
what  they  pronounced  an  usurj)ation  of  power  on 
the  part  of  the  President,  were  certainly  not  Avholly 
guiltless  themselves.  But  admitting  that  Mexico 
had  a  claim  to  the  country  between  the  Nueces  and 
Rio  Grande,  Mr.  Polk  was  not  without  a  precedent 
in  ordering  General  Taylor  to  take  possession  of  it.* 


*  "  Among  the  events  growing  out  of  tlie  state  of  tlie  Spanish  mo- 
narchy, oiir  attention  was  imperiounly  attracted  to  the  change  developing 
itself  in  that  portion  of  West  Florida,  which,  though  of  right  appertaining  to 
the  United  States,  had  remained  in  the  possession  of  Spain,  awaiting  the 
result  of  negotiations  for  its  actual  delivery  to  them. 

"  The  Spanish  authority  was  subverted,  and  a  situation  produced  ex- 
posing the  country  to  ulterior  events  which  might  essentially  affect  the 
rights  and  welfare  of  the  Union.  In  such  a  conjuncture  I  did  not  delay 
the  mterposition  required  for  the  occupancy  of  the  territory  west  of  the 
river  Perdido,  to  which  the  title  of  the  United  States  extends,  and  to 
which  the  laws  provided  for  the  territory  of  Orleans  are  applicable.  With 
this  view  the  proclamation,  of  which  a  copy  is  laid  before  you,  was  con- 
fided to  the  Governor  of  that  territory  to  be  carried  into  effect.  The  lega- 
lity and  necessity  of  the  course  pursued,  assure  me  of  the  favorable 
light  in  which  it  will  present  itself  to  the  Legislature,  and  of  the  prompti- 
tude with  which  they  will  supply  whatever  provisions  may  be  due  to  the 
essential  rights  and  equitable  interests  of  the  people  thus  brought  into  the 
bosom  of  the  American  family." 

"From  the  inclosed  proclamation  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  you  will  perceive  his  determination  to  take  possession  of  the  ter- 
ritory therein  specified,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  United  States." 

"  Considering,  finally,  that  the  acts  of  Congress,  though  contemplating 
a  present  possession  by  foreign  authority,  have  con  .mplated  also  an  even- 
9 


130 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Tlie  right  to  take  possession  of  disputed  terri- 
tory dates  at  a  still  earlier  period  of  t)ur  ccjuntry'a 
history,  and  has  the  sanction  of  a  still  more  com- 
manding authority.*     Subsequently  to  the  treaty  of 

timl  poasession  of  the  said  territory  by  tlio  United  States,  and  are  accord- 
ingly so  framed  as  in  that  case  to  extend  tlieir  operation  to  the  same,  now 
be  it  known  that  I,  James  Madison,  President  of  tiie  United  States  of 
America,  in  pursuance  of  these  weighty  and  urgent  considerations,  [not, 
as  usual,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  vested  in  me,]  have  deemed  it  right 
and  requisite  that  possession  should  be  taken  of  the  said  territory  in  the 
name  and  in  behalf  of  the  United  States." — Mensage  of  President  Madi- 
son, Dec.  10, 1810.     [3  Foreign  Relalims,  p.  337.] 

♦  From  every  account,  the  enemy  amounted  to  two  thousand  combat- 
ants ;  the  troops  actually  engaged  against  them  were  short  of  nine  hun- 
dred. This  horde  of  savages,  with  their  allies,  abandoned  themselves  to 
flight,  and  dispersed  with  terror  and  dismay,  leaving  our  victorious  army 
in  full  and  quiet  possession  of  the  field  of  battle,  which  terminated  under 
the  influence  of  the  guns  of  the  British  garrison,  as  you  will  observe  by 
the  inclosed  correspondence  between  Major  Campbell,  the  commandant, 
and  myself  upon  the  occasion." — Official  Letter  of  General  Wayne  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  August  28th,  1794. 

CORRESPONDENCE   BETWEEN  JIAJOR-GENERAl,  WAYNE, 
AND  MAJOR  WILLIAM  CAMPBELL. 

No.  L 
"MiAMis  RivEH,  August  21,1794. 
"  Sir  :  An  army  of  the  United  States  of  America,  said  to  be  under 
your  command,  having  taken  posts  on  the  banks  of  the  Miamis  for  up- 
wards of  the  last  twenty-four  hours,  almost  within  reach  of  the  guns  of 
this  fort,  being  a  post  belonging  to  his  Majesty  the  King  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, occupied  by  his  Majesty's  troops,  and  whicli  I  have  the  honor  to  com- 
mand, it  becomes  my  duty  to  inform  myself,  as  speedily  as  possible,  in 
what  light  I  am  to  view  your  making  such  near  approaches  to  this  gar- 
rison. 

"  I  have  no  hesitation  on  my  part  to  say,  that  I  know  of  no  war  exist- 
ing between  Great  Britain  and  America. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be.  «'>•,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient  and 
very  humble  servant,  "  WILLIAM  CAMPBELL, 

"  jMajor  24th  Reg.  commanding  a  British  post  on 
the  banks  of  the  Miamis. 
"  To  Major-General  Wayne,  &.c.  &c.  &c." 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


131 


peace  of  1783,  between  this  country  und  (ireut  Bri- 
tuin,  contrary  to  its  prtjvlsions,  the  former  jwjwer 
retained  possession  of  several  foils  ujM>n  the  fron- 
tiers, from  which  tliey  instigated  the  savages  to 
Avage  hostilities  against  the  United  States.  Wash- 
ington was  annoyed  hy  the  incursions  of  the  Indians, 
llarmer  and  St.  Clair  had  l)een  successively  defeated. 
In  17i>4,  our  forces  in  the  northwest  wei-e  placed 
under  the  command  of  "nuul  Anthony  Wayne," 
who,  on  the  28th  of  August,  1794,  defeated  the  al- 
lied Indians  and  the  British,  under  the  gutjs  of  a 
fort  in  possession  of  the  English ;  Wayne  then  ra- 
vaged the  jwssession  of  Colonel  McKee,  the  British 
Indian  agent,  and  which  was  in  disputed  territory, 
actually  in  the  occui)ancy  of  the  British  troops. 

No.  11. 
"Camp  on  the  bank  of  the  Miamis,  August  2lit,  1794. 

"  Sir  :  I  hnve  received  your  letter  of  this  date,  requiring  from  me  the 
motives  which  have  moved  the  army  under  my  command  to  the  position 
they  at  present  occupy,  far  witiiin  the  acknowledged  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States  of  America. 

"  Without  questioning  the  authority,  or  the  propriety,  sir,  of  your  in- 
terrogatory, I  think  I  may,  without  breach  of  decorum,  observe  to  you, 
that  were  you  entitled  to  an  answer,  the  most  satisfactory  one  was 
announced  to  you  from  the  muzzles  of  my  small  arms,  yesterday  morning, 
in  an  action  against  the  horde  of  savages,  in  tlie  vicinity  of  your  posts, 
which  terminated  gloriously  to  the  American  arms ;  but,  had  it  continued 
until  the  Indians,  &.C.,  were  drove  under  the  influence  of  the  p.ost  and 
guns  you  mention,  they  would  not  have  much  impeded  the  progress  of 
the  victorious  army  under  my  command,  as  no  such  post  was  established 
at  the  commencement  of  the  present  war  between  the  Indians  and  the 
United  States. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient, 
and  very  humble  servant, 

"  (Signed)  ANTHONY  WAYNE, 

Major-General  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Federal  Army. 

"To  Major  William  Campbell,  &c.  &c." 


•I 


f«i 


132 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


This  conduct  upon  the  part  of  General  Wayne,  was 
sustained  by  General  Washington. 

I  reiterate  the  fact,  that  Mexico  made  no  dis- 
tinction between  the  country  lying  east  and  west 
of  the  Nueces.  They  claimed  the  whole  of  Texas, 
as  a  revolted  province,  when  they  were  masteiing 
their  troops  upon  the  banks  of  the  Eio  Grande, 
with  the  avowed  determiaatiun  of  reconquering  that 
v^ountry.  What,  under  the  circumstances,  wa.s  the 
proper  course  for  the  administration  to  pursue? 
Were  plighted  faith  and  pledged  honor  to  be  dis- 
regarded ?  Were  the  Mexicans  to  be  allowed  to 
cross  the  Rio  Grande,  and  re-enact  the  bloody 
scenes  which  characterized  their  progi'ess  before 
the  fatal  defeat  at  San  Jacinto?  Tlie  President 
had  the  i-iglit  to  lead  our  forces  in  persv.  i,  to  the 
uttermost  limit  of  the  Texan  territoiy.  The  ques- 
tion in  dispute  could  be  settled  l)y  one  of  two 
methods — by  negotiation  oi'  by  force.  The  for- 
mer we  had  tendered  to  Mexico  after  she  had 
abruptly  broken  off  all  diplomatic  intercourse.  Our 
proposition  was  scornfully  rejected,  and  she  elected 
to  decide  the  contest  by  the  ordeal  of  battle. 
Wlien  this  was  known,  it  surely  cannot  be  insisted 
that  the  Mexicans  had  a  better  right  to  take  pos- 
session of  disputed  territory  than  the  soldiers  of  the 
United  States.  The  very  fact  of  possession  might 
have  affected  our  title.  Mexico  might  have  claimed 
that  possession  as  an  e\'idence  of  the  inability  of 
Texas  and  the  United  States  to  enforce  their  claim 
to  every  part  of  the  disputed  territory.* 

*  It  Is  evident  from  tlie  cnrrespoi'.Jence  of  General  Taylor  with  the 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


133 


Mexican  General  Ampudia,  that  he  regarded  the  territory  betwet-u  ifibe 
Nueces  and  Rio  Grande  ns  American  soil.  "While  tliis  coimiiuni(,idi';w 
was  ill  my  hands,  it  was  discovered  that  the  village  of  Froiitoiie  had  Iwwa 
set  on  fire  and  abandoned.  I  viewed  tiiis  as  a  direct  act  of  war,  ajud  m- 
formed  the  deputation  timt  their  commiiiication  would  l>e  answered  l^y  mn 
wiien  opposite  Matamoras,  wliicii  wa.s  done  in  res[)ectful  t<?nuc." — Ijnif/tr 
of  General  Taylor  to  General  Ampudia,  dated  Matamoras,  Tejcas,  A^4 
22,  1846. 

Frontone  was  situated  leeft  of  the  Anoyo  Colonido.  Tiie  buriuo;f 
of  this  village  conid  not  Lave  been  regarded  by  General  Taylor  at  "  «  ^ 
rectact  of  war"  unless  he  considered  it  American  territory. 

He  also  stated  to  the  Mexican  gericral  tlmt  the  course  pursuod  \)\  lin? 
prmy  under  his  command  had  licen  governed  by  a  strict  regard  nl  )\i^^-At 
aid  humanity.  "  1  need  hardly  advise  you  that,  charged,  as  J  sun,  \m  <jiu)/ 
a  n.ilitary  capacity,  with  the  [lerformance  of  specific  duties,  1  cauix/t  «uttir 
into  a  discussion  of  the  international  question  involved  in  the  advaiK*  fJi 
the  American  army.  You  will,  however,  permit  me  to  say  that  the  <ioM:T!>- 
ment  of  the  United  States  has  constantly  sought  n  settlement  by  i«>g<ji*- 
tion  of  the  question  of  boundary ;  that  an  envoy  was  dis[)atched  to  ^.vrntut 
for  that  purpose ;  and  that  up  to  the  most  recent  dates  said  einoy  hud  *wl 
been  received  by  the  actnnl  Mexican  Government,  if  indeed  he  ha*  (0<4t 
received  his  passports  and  lefltho  republic.  In  the  mean  time  I  liavi:'  \»*m 
ordered  to  occupy  the  country  up  to  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  <inai<i»-, 
until  the  boundary  shall  be  definitely  settled.  In  carrying  out  '•Iwt*-  ifti» 
structions  I  have  carefully  abstained  from  all  acts  of  hotiility,  oljeyiii;f,  m 
this  regard,  not  only  the  letter  of  my  instructions,  but  tlie  plain  <tMft«VB» 
of  justice  and  humanity." — lb.,  April  12, 1 840. 

"  After  all  that  has  passed  since  the  American  army  first  appr'jwiiitHi 
the  Rio  Bravo,  I  am  certainly  surprised  that  you  should  ('ouipkiu  'A  « 
measure,  which  is  no  other  tlirn  a  natunil  result  of  the  Ktale  ol  vnijr  t<<y 
much  insisted  upon  by  the  Mexican  authorities  as  actually  existing  «i  lAii* 
time.  You  will  excuse  mo  for  recalling  a  few  circumstances  to  sb'.'w  fhot 
this  state  of  tear  has  not  hem  sm'irhl  hij  the  Amerirnn  antiij,  but  hxi  <»jn» 
forced  upon  it,  and  that  the  exercise  o  the  rights  incident  to  such  a  b1«l« 
cannot  be  made  a  subject  of  complaint." — lb.,  April  22, 1840. 


■--o 


"■>* 


1> 


,-s* 


\^" 


134 


IIISTOUy     OF     THE 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Forward  movement  of  the  American  troojis. — The  number  and  discipline  of 
the  American  army. — General  Taylor  reaches  Point  loabel. — Fort  Brown 
erected. — The  Mexicans  cross  the  Kio  Oraniie. — (Jencral  Taylor  moves 
from  Fort  Brown  to  Point  Isiibel. — Bombardment  of  Fort  Brown. — Battle 
of  Palo  Alto. — Kesaca  de  la  Palma. — The  action  of  Congress. — Reorga- 
nization of  the  army. — The  object  for  which  the  war  was  prosecuted. — 
Difficulty  with  General  Scott. — Requisitions  made  upon  the  Governors  of 
several  States  for  volunteers. — Plan  of  cam|iaign. — Action  of  General 
Gaines. — General  Taylor  marches  from  Camargo  in  the  direction  of  Mon- 
terey— Capture  of  Monterey. — Intenul  affairs  of  Mexico, — Pass  granted 
to  Santa  Anna. — General  Wool  marches  upon  Monclova. — General  Kear- 
ney takes  Santa  F£. — Colonel  Uoniphan  advances  upon  Chihuahua. — Vic- 
tory of  Sacramento. — General  Kearney  starts  for  California. — Operations 
of  Colonel  Fremont  and  Commodores  .Sloat  and  Stockton.  Orders  issued 
to  raise  contributions  from  the  Mexicans. — (jeneral  Taylor  advises  the 
adoption  of  a  defensive  line. — Preparations  made  to  attack  Vera  Cruz, 
— Civil  Governments  authorized  by  the  President — MoTemenls  of  Colonel 
Price. 


The  forward  movement  of  the  American  troops 
fi'om  Corpus  Chri.sti  to  the  Rio  ( iranm;  was  ordered, 
as  suggested  by  General  Tiylor  him.self  *    Tlio  rear 

*  "  For  these  reasons  our  positlf ,)  thus  far  has,  I  think,  been  the  best 
possible  ;  but  now  that  the  enti',;  force  will  s^ion  be  concentrated,  it  may 
well  be  a  question  whether  the  views  ef  (jfVf.Tiiment  will  tx;  betU  carried 
out  by  our  remaining  at  this  point.  It  is  with  i^eat  deference  tliat  I  make 
any  stiggeslions  on  topics  which  may  tecwnn  m.'ttcrs  of  delicttc  negotia- 
tion ;  but  if  our  Government,  in  settling  the  quextion  of  br)iindary  makes  the 
line  of  the  Rio  Grande  an  ultimatum,  I  cannot  doulrf  that  tlic  settlement  will 
be  greatly  facilitated  and  hastened  by  our  ttikini,'  pn-Hcsi'lon  at  once  of  one  or 
two  points  on  or  quite  near  that  river.  f)ur  strcn(,'th  nnrl  state  of  prepara- 
tion should  bo  displayed  in  u  manner  not  Ui  be  tnintaken."— /^m/w^cA  nf 
Gerund  Tai/hr  li>  the  fkcretarti  iif  War,  doled  at  Cvrput  Chrisli,  nn  the 
Ath  of  October,  1845. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


135 


of  the  army  left  the  former  place  on  the  11th  of 
March,  184G.  It  may  be  proper  at  this  place 
l)]'iefly  to  examine  into  the  numbere,  state  of  disci- 
plj'  \  and  arms  of  the  regular  force  of  the  United 
Rt.;ri\'7  Much  jealousy  has  been  manifested  by  our 
citi/ens  ever  since  the  declaration  of  indepe^-.dence, 
of  standing  armies.  A  preference  has  ab.vays  been 
exhibited  for  militia  or  volunteer  troops ;  and  al- 
though raw  soldiers  during  the  revolutionary  strug- 
gle did  not  often  prove  as  steady  under  fire  as  the  con- 
tinental line,  still  in  the  last  war  ^vith  Great  Britain, 
and  the  more  recent  one  with  Mexico,  the  volun- 
teers fought  with  a  desperation  which  established  l)e- 
yond  a  doubt,  that  peri'ect  reliance  may  be  placed 
upon  them  in  the  fury  of  battle.  It  is  true  that 
they  will  not  yield  the  same  passive,  uncom])lainiug 
obedience,  .vhlch  in  the  "regular"  affords  his  com- 
mander '•  i-Ui  ]\  delight;  but  that  pride  and  emula- 
tion wi!';  :  '"'.  '(lu^ttes  the  volunteer,  will  prompt  him 
to  avoid  the  i'  •i;ix\:-<  of  a  court-martial,  while  he  fights 
with  a  degret  •  enthusiasm  that  is  irresistible. 
The  graduates  of  the  military  academy  at  West 
Pol  :,,  during  the  conflict  with  Mexico,  elevated  the 
cliaracter  of  that  iii-iitution  to  an  extraordinary 
v^egree  of  renown.  Before  the  Avar  commenced,  a 
strong  prejudice  prevailed  throughout  the  country 
again^'t  it,  and  the  oi)position  had  become  so  decid- 
ed, thai  it  Avas  in  danger  of  being  discontinued. 
It  is  li  V  hrwc>»^r,  established  upon  a  firmer  basis 
than  ever,  and  if  our  main  reliance  in  time  of  war 
is  to  be  upon  the  volunteer,  this  only  renders  the 
preservation  of  that  institution  still  more  impera- 


*» 

> 


«< 

i 


1-4 

X 


'm 


136 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


tive.  Ill  the  selection  of  their  officers,  the  volun- 
teer Avill  almost  invari.  '  1'  •^'  't  those  persons  who 
have  obtained  a  regular  .  ry  education,  or  by 
theii'  expeiience  are  qualified  ^o  command.  While, 
then,  military  education  should  be  taught  at  West 
Point,  perfect  reliance  may  be  placed  in  the  volun- 
teer force  of  the  country  in  snstaining  the  honor  of 
om-  flag.  In  1845  the  whole  number  of  the  regular 
army  of  the  United  States"  amounted  to  7,883, 
many  of  whom  Avere  foreigners.  General  Taylor 
before  leaving  Cor;)us  Christi  had  under  his  com- 
mand about  3,500  men,  and  when  he  reached  the 
Rio  (rvande  his  effective  force  was  less  than  3,000, 

When  the  Amei'can  troops  arrived  near  the 
Rio  Grande,  they  found  the  Mexicans  prepared  to 
assume  offensive  operations.  On  the  10th  of  April, 
184G,  Colonel  Cross  was  murdered,  and  on  the  ISth 
of  the  same  month  Lieutenant  Poiier  with  a  small 
T)ody  of  men  were  taken  prisoners  after  a  des])erate 
resistance,  and  Avere  inhumanly  butchered.  On  the 
24th  of  April  General  Arista  arrived  at  Matamoras, 
and  informed  General  Taylor  that  he  considered 
hostilities  commenced,  and  that  he  should  prosecute 
them.*  On  the  24th  of  the  same  m(mth  Captain 
TlK)rnton,  with  a  party  of  dragoons  consisting  of  G3 
men,  became  engaged  with  a  very  large  force  of  the 
Mexicans,  in  Avhich  IG  were  killed  and  wounded,  and 
the  rest  were  forced  to  surrender.f  On  the  2Gth  of 
April  General  Taylor  issued  a  call  upon  the  Gover- 


*  Dispatch  of   General  Taylor,  April  26tli,  1846,  Executive   docu- 
ments, second  Session,  '29th  Congress, 
t  Ibid. 


POLK     Ar*>IINISTRATION. 


137 


nor  of  T«'xas  for  two  re crinients  of  mounted  troops, 
and  two  of  infantry,  and  upon  the  (lovernor  of 
Loubiaua  for  four  regiments  of  infantry,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  prorHf'CUting  the  war  witli  energy,  and  carry- 
ing it  into  the  enemy':*  country.*  On  th<>  28th  of 
Ai)ril,  184»;.  tlie  camp  of  Caj)tain  Walker  was  sur- 
prised, and  five  men  were  killed.  A  family  of 
foui-teen  j'MT'i<^>a«  unarmed  were  taken  prisoners,  two 
of  whom  were  females  ;  their  tliroats  were  cut,  and 
after  every  indignity  was  perpetrated  upon  theii* 
persons,  th'-y  were  left  exposed  to  the  storms  of 
heaven,  and  [irowling  Ix.'asts.  On  the  3d  of  ^May, 
althougji  the  enemy  had  made  demonstrations  on 
the  east  l»ank  of  tlie  river,  still,  owing  to  the  nature 
of  the  country',  and  the  deficiency  in  the  American 
amy  of  light  tr*^K)f)s,  General  Tayk)r  was  kejjt  ig- 
norant of  their  niovenients.f  He  had  received  in- 
formation that  the  Mexicans  were  pre])aring  to 
cross  the  river  V>elow  Fort  Brown,  with  the  ohject 
of  f<»rming  a  junction  with  those  who  had  crossed 
the  river  al>ove ;  and  entertaining  the  T)clief  that 
they  designed  making  a  descent  upon  his  de])ot  at 
Point  Isaliel,  he  hastened  the  operations  on  the 
field-work,  and  was  enabled  to  prepare  it  for  a  suc- 
cessful defence  on  the  1st  of  May.;);  Leaving  the 
7th  infantry  under  the  command  of  Major  Brown, 
with  Cajjtain  I»wd's  and  Lieutenant  Bragg's  com- 
panies of  artillerj'  in  charge  of  the  work.  General 


*  '•  Which  will  be  reqnired  to  prosecutxj  the  war  with  energy,  and 
earn-  it,  a*  it  ^hoaU  b<»,  into  tho  enemy's  country." — Ibid. 

i  Dispatch  .No.  32  of  General  Taylor,  dated  May  3d,  1846,  at  Point 
Isabel. 


:i><i 


138 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Taylor  started  with  the  main  force  under  his  com- 
mand, for  Point  Isabel,  where  they  arrived  the  next 
day,  without  discovering  any  signs  of  the  enemy. 
On  the  morning,  and  dming  the  day  of  May  3d,  dis- 
charges of  cannon  were  heard  in  the  direction  of 
Fort  Brown  ;  and  General  Taylor  dispatched  a 
squadron  of  cavalry,  covering  a  small  party  to  com- 
municate with  Major  Brown*  The  squadron  re- 
turned on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  without  bringing 
news  from  the  Fort ;  but  on  the  5th  of  May  Cap- 
tain Walker  of  the  rangei-s  arrived  at  Point  Isabel, 
after  running  the  gauntlet  during  tho  night  before. 
This  act  of  gallantry  upon  th*-  part  of  Captain  Wal- 
ker deserves  especial  attention,  as  it  exemplified 
the  cool  and  daring  courage  of  that  celebrated 
ranger.  When  it  was  deemed  important  to  com- 
municate with  General  Taylor,  Captain  Walker 
volunteered  to  be  the  bearer  of  dispatches  from 
Major  Brown.  Starting  at  night,  with  no  other 
guide  through  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  but  the  wind 
upon  his  cheek,  he  successfully  accomplished  the  en- 
terprise. From  a  dispatch  brought  by  him,  General 
Taylor  ascertained  that,  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  of 
May,  the  Mexican  batteries  opened  upon  Fort  Brown, 
and  the  American  guns  were  immediately  manned 
and  a  fire  was  kept  up  from  the  six  and  18-pound- 
ers,  Avhich  resulted  in  dismounting  several  of  the 
Mexican  pieces.  They  continued,  however,  to  fire 
upon  the  fort  until  12  o'clock  at  night.  On  the 
7th  of  May,  General  Taylor  started  on  his  return 
from  Point  Isabel,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  the 

*  Dispatch  No.  32  of  General  Taylor,  dated  May  3d,  1846,  at  Point 
Isabel. 


POLK     ADMINISTEATION. 


139 


f 


siege  of  Fort  Brown,  determined  to  fight  the  enemy 
in  whatever  force  he  might  attempt  to  obstruct  his 
progress*  On  the  8th  of  May  he  encountered 
6,000  of  the  enemy  at  the  field  of  Palo  Alto,  and 
after  an  action  of  five  hours  repulsed  them.  The 
force  under  General  Taylor  did  not  exceed  2,300 
men.  What  renders  this  battle  somewhat  remark- 
able is  the  fact,  that  although  it  lasted  five  hours, 
the  loss  of  the  Americans  was  only  four  men  killed, 
and  three  officers  and  thirty-nine  men  wounded.f 

*  Dispatch  of  General  Taylor,  to  the  War  Department,  May  7th, 
1846. 

f  "  Head  Quarters,  Army  of  Occupation, 

Camp  near  Palo  Alto,  May  9,  1846. 

"  Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  I  was  met  near  this  place  yester- 
day on  my  march  from  Point  Isabel,  by  the  Mexican  forces  ;  and  after  an 
action  of  about  five  hours,  dislodged  them  from  their  position,  and  en- 
camped upon  the  field.  Our  artillery,  consisting  of  two  18-pounders,  and 
two  light  batteries,  was  the  arm  chiefly  engaged,  and  to  the  excellent 
manner  in  which  it  was  manoeuvred  and  served,  is  our  success  mainly 
due. 

"  The  strength  of  the  enemy  is  believed  to  have  been  about  6,000  men, 
with  7  pieces  of  artillery  and  800  cavalry  ;  his  loss  is  probably  at  least  100 
killed.  Our  strength  did  not  exceed,  all  told,  2,300,  while  our  loss  was  com- 
paratively trifling ;  4  men  killed,  3  officers  and  39  men  wounded  ;  several 
of  tlie  latter  mortally.  I  regret  to  report  tliat  Major  Ringold,  3d  artillery, 
and  Captain  Page,  4th  infantry,  are  severely  wounded ;  Lieutenant  Luther, 
2d  artillery,  slightly  so. 

"  The  enemy  has  fallen  back,  and  it  is  believed  has  repassed  the  river. 
I  have  advanced  parties  now  thrown  forward  in  his  direction,  and  shall 
move  the  main  body  immediately. 

"  In  the  haste  of  this  first  report,  I  can  only  say,  that  the  officers  and 
men  behaved  in  the  most  admirable  manner  throughout  the  action. 

"  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  making  a  more  detailed  report,  when 
those  of  the  different  commanders  shall  be  received. 

"  I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  Z.  TAYLOR, 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  commanding. 
"  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army, 
Washington,  D.  C." 


\ 


140 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


It  U  sihfttfKit.  inconc(ava})le,  that  so  large  a  body  of 
lue.'i  »<f  >uM  liave  been  fighting  in  the  open  field, 
tor  tliiit  Uiti^h  of  time,  without  doing  more  execu- 
tion, 'llur  Ufm  of  the  Mexicans  was  estimated  at 
moj'c  tfian  2(f(l  Tlie  artillery  was  the  arm  pi-in- 
ci])a)J\-  «'fjj(a^'-d,  and  fully  sustained  the  high  repu- 
tali<yjj  of  t\u^',  who  had  devoted  so  much  time  to 
its  iH'ti'fttttum.  Major  Ringold  of  the  flying  artillery 
wa«  luortally  wofinded;  but  his  death  was  terril>ly 
mvi'ti'^M  hy  I>nncan,  Ridgely  and  their  ccmirades, 
who  fouj^ht  with  an  enthusiasm  that  carried  havoc 
aJid  t\Uui»y  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy. 

Thii;  A»»it'ri(;an  anny  encamped  upon  the  field  of 
l>attl«%  and  a  council  of  war  Avas  called  to  deter- 
mi)i<'  wUtdhar  they  should  advance,  or  act  upon  the 
di'i'i'UHUi.  A  majority  was  in  favor  of  the  latter 
courw(i ;  hut  the  commanding  general,  sustained  by 
the  suWmt  ()f  Ifclknap,  Duncan,  and  others,  deter- 
miuM  io  force  his  way  to  Fort  Brown.  In  the 
mean  tiiw?,  Arista  was  reinforced  by  a  body  of 
2,<>'H»  trtf(t\m,t]m^  making  his  force  amount  to  alwut 
8/KXl.  At  2  o'clock  on  the  9th  of  May,  General 
Taylor  advanced  along  the  Matamoras  road,*  and 
vluiU  htt  a|^»rf«iched  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  he  found 
a  vuviwi  w]mh  crf>ssed  the  road,  lined  Avith  the  ar- 
tilh'ry  of  the  enemy.  Taylor  directed  a  battery  of 
fiehl  artill<rry  to  assail  the  position,  and  the  fire  of 
artillc^ry  and  small  arms  was  continued,  until  the 
ItatU^nm  of  the  Mexicans  were  carried  by  the  in- 
fantry and  dragfX)ns,  and  they  were  pui*sued  to  the 


*  ffiifittfih  r4  GencTal  Taylor  to  the  War  Department,  May  9th, 


18W, 


POLK     AD5riXI9TRATION, 


141 


river.  Seven  pieces  of  artillery,  a  large  quantity  of 
ammunition,  three  standards,  and  about  100  prison- 
ers, including  General  La  Vega,  wei-e  cajrtured. 
Tlie  loss  of  the  Americans  was  39  killed  and  82 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  Mexicans  in  the  two  hat- 
ties  has  been  estimated  at  1,000  men.  Although 
great  bravery  was  exhibited  by  the  infantry  and 
dragoons,  still  the  gallantry  of  the  artillerymen  Avas 
conspicuous.  They  fought  with  a  reckless,  yet  sys- 
tematic daring,  which  claims  our  highest  admira- 
tion ;  wherever  the  dark  masses  of  the  enemy  Avere 
pre])aring  to  advance,  they  were  quickly  met  by  the 
flying  artillery,  and  the  storm  of  grape  and  canister 
never  failed  to  drive  them  back  in  disorder.  One 
instance  is  related  of  chivalrous  devotion,  which,  in 
the  army  of  Bonaparte  would  have  won  a  high  po- 
sition. When  Captain  May,  who  had  been  occui)y- 
ing  the  position  of  the  "  black  sluggard,"  was  some- 
what peremptorily  ordered  by  Taylor  to  charge  a 
Mexican  battery,  he  was  ati-ested  in  full  career  by 
lliflgely,  who  called  out  "  stop,  Charley,  let  me  draw 
their  fire ;"  and  the  gi-ape  and  canister  from  Ridgely's 
battery  were  quickly  responded  to  ;  and  although 
the  saddles  of  many  of  the  dragoons  were  emptied 
by  the  fire  of  the  Mexican  infantry,  yet  the  remain- 
der dashed  over  empty  guns. 

The  news  of  these  two  victories  quickly  spread 
throughout  the  United  States,  and  startled  the  inha- 
bitants of  each  city  and  hamlet  throughout  the 
land.  The  intelligence  produced  a  deep  sensation 
at  Washington,  where  the  American  Congress  Avas 
then  in  session.    The  threats  which  had  often  been 


\ 


v.-\.  \ 


^ 


Y 


^^ 


^v 


.^»>' 


*«^  «^*TT.i»*** 


142 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


made  by  the  Mexicans  to  wash  out  with  blood  the 
stain  upon  their  national  character,  by  what  they 
called  a  dismemberment  of  their  tei'ritory,  liad  now 
been  attempted.  They  had  crossed  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  upon  two  fields  they  had  encountered  tlie  Ame- 
rican army.  The  Avar  had  commenced,  and  it  de- 
volved upon  Congress  to  devise  the  means  for  its 
energetic  prosecution.  The  regular  army  in  Aj>ril, 
184G,  was  7,244,  and  the  force  on  the  Texas  fron- 
tier in  May,  present  and  absent,  was  3,554.* 

With  this  small  body  of  men,  it  was  not  to  l)e 
expected  that  we  could  encounter  successfully 
8,000,000  of  people  upon  their  own  soil,  and  by  the 
act  of  the  13th  of  May,  1846,  the  President  was 
authonzed  to  call  into  the  field  50,000  volunteei-s, 
to  serve  for  one  year,  or  during  the  war ;  .and  fin 
appropriation  was  made  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
it  into  effect.  The  preamble  to  that  act  has  been 
made  the  subject  of  much  discussion  in  Congi-ess 
and  elsewhere.  It  declared  that  "  whereas  liy  the 
act  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico  Avar  exists,"  &c. 
The  opposition  members  of  Congress  distinctly 
charged  that  the  war  was  brought  on  by  the  uncon- 
stitutional order  given  by  Mr.  Polk  for  the  concen- 
tration of  our  troops  upon  the  Rio  Grande ;  but  I 
have  already  shoAvn  the  fallacy  of  that  assumption. 
It  Avas  nevertheless  entertained,  and  although  the 
AA'higs  Avere  dispot'ed  to  vote  for  an  approi)riation  of 
money  and  the  raising  of  men  for  the  purpose  of 
relieving  General  Taylor,  still  they  made  strenuous 

*  Report  of  the  Adjutant-General  to  the  War  Department,  April  6th, 
1848. 


>H 


POli-K     ADMINISTRATION. 


143 


exertions  to  strike  the  preamble  from  the  hill.  This 
they  Avere  unable  to  do,  and  upon  its  piussage,  they 
all  voted  for  it  with  the  exception  of  fourteen  mem- 
bei*s  of  the  House,  and  two  or  three  Senators*  It 
had  been  insisted  that  those  memljei-s  of  the  oppo- 
sition who  voted  for  the  bill,  were  estopped  from 
subsequently  denjang  that  Mexico  commenced  the 
war.  The  position  which  they  occupied  was  an  ex- 
ceedingly delicate  one.  Tliey  had  to  adopt  one  of 
two  alternatives;  either  to  vote  for  the  preamble, 
which  they  declared  was  untrue,  or  to  vote  against 
the  bill.  They  did  not  choose  to  place  themselves 
upon  the  record  as  voting  against  granting  sui)plies; 
although  the  prosecution  of  a  war  unjustly  com- 
menced l)y  us,  can  hardly  l)e  reconcilable  with  the 
doctrines  of  the  Bibl"  or  the  i)recei)ts  of  morality. 
The  course  pui'sued  uy  those  who  voted  against  the 
bill,  was  consistent  Avith  the  declaration  that  the 
war  was  unjust,  and  they  have  had  far  less  difficulty 
in  reconciling  their  assertions  and  their  votes,  than 
those  who  declared  the  war  was  wrongfully  com- 
menced, yet  abused  Mr.  Polk  because  it  Avas  not 
more  vigorously  prosecuted. 

The  coui-se  pursued  by  the  opposition  members 
of  Congress  Avith  regard  to  the  origin  and  jn-osecu- 
tion  of  the  war,  was  very  inconsistent.  Scarcely 
did  the  collision  of  arms  take  place  upon  the  Rio 
Grande,  before  they  denounced  the  course  pursued 
by  the  Executive  as  unauthorized  and  unconstitu- 
tional ;  and  a  portion  of  them  opposed  its  ])rosecu- 
tion,  and  voted  against  supplies  throughout  the  con- 


'^ 

■* 

A"* 


.  1 


l-l 


See  Congressional  Globe,  first  session  29tli  Congress. 


RMH 


wm 


144 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


test,  while  the  remainder  violently  assailed  the  ad- 
ministi'atiou  because  the  war  was  nut  pnxsecuted 
with  more  vigor.  Although  it  was  the  g(;uei'al  im- 
pression after  each  battle,  that  the  Mexicans  would 
conclude  a  peace,  still  those  members  gave  fre(pient 
expression  to  their  indignation  because  more  men 
were  not  called  into  the  fiekl,  that  each  victory 
might  immediately  be  followed  l)y  a  forward  move- 
ment. Those  meml)ers,  who  luul  denounced  the 
conduct  of  the  President  because  he  had  "com- 
menced an  unconstitutional  war,"  and  Avho  had  with 
extreme  bitterness  assailed  him  because  that  war 
had  not  ])een  j)rosecuted  with  more  enei-gy ;  at  a 
later  period  in  the  struggle,  voted  to  lay  uj)on  the 
table  a  resolution,  declaring  that  it  was  inexpedient 
for  our  army  to  retreat  from  the  positions  which 
they  had  won  in  Mexico,  for  the  purpose  of  falling 
back  upon  a  defensive  line.*  This  resolution  was 
laid  on  the  table  u])on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Stephens, 
of  Georgia,  by  a  vote  of  90  to  89.  AH  who  voted  to 
lay  the  resolution  on  the  table  were  whigs,  and  all 
who  voted  against  it  were  democrats. 

After  the  war  with  Mexico  was  recognized  by 
the  Congi'ess  of  the  United  St  ites,  it  remained  to  be 
seen  whether  the  ranks  of  the  army  could  be  filled 
liy  volunteei-s.  A  feeling  of  indignation  was  aroused 
from  ]\Iaine  to  Texas,  that  Mexicans,  who  had  so 
frequently  violated  theii'  most  solemn  treaty  sti- 


*  Mr.  Chase  offered  the  following  resolution :  "  Resolved,  that  it  is  in- 
expedient to  order  onr  troops  to  retreat  from  the  positions  which  they  have 
gallantly  won  in  Mexico,  for  the  purpose  of  falling  back  upon  a  defensive 
line." — Congresnidtuil  Glnbe,lsl  session,  ZOlhCongress,  p.  179. 


POLK     ADMINISTIIATION. 


Ui 


puLitions,  should  coiisumniato  tluMi'  folly  l>y  the 
invasion  of  our  territory;  and  tlie  alacrity  with 
wliicli  our  jH'oi*]**  respoiidcd  to  the  call  upon  their 
patriotism,  jn'oved  at  once  that  they  wouUl  defend 
the  honor  of  our  counti-y,  by  wluitever  nation  as- 
sailed ;  and  the  ardor  with  which  they  rushed  to  the 
field,  proved  tlunn  the  most  wai'lik(!  i)eoi»le  of  the 
age.  herever  was  unfurled  the  stripes  and  stai-M, 
and  'ver  Avas  heard  the  roll  of  the  drum,  there 

were  gathered  the  volunteers  of  ev(!ry  age  and  con- 
dition; and  where  only  .50,000  volunteers  were  au- 
thorized, .'J00,000  gallant  spirits  respond(!d  to  the 
caU.  The  spectacle  witnessed,  was  literally  that  of 
a  nation  in  arms.  The  organization  (jf  the  volun- 
teers was  promptly  attended  to  l)y  the  President ; 
and  for  this  puri)ose  officers  were  a])pointe(l,  who 
subsequently  distinguished  themselves.  Two  Major- 
Geuerals  Avere  commissioned — Butler  and  Patter- 
son; and  eight  Brigadiers — Lane,  Smith,  Ilamcr, 
Quitman,  Pierce,  Cadwallader,  Pillow,  and  Shields. 
Tlie  President  of  the  United  States  promi)tly 
availed  himself  of  the  authoiity  granted  ])y  Con- 
gress for  the  purpose  of  prosecuting  the  war  vigo 
rously  against  Mexico.  He  liad  several  times  an- 
nounced to  Congi-ess  thai  the  war  was  not  waged 
with  a  view  to  conquest,  l)ut  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  an  honorable  peace,  and  thereby  to  se- 
cure ample  indemnity.*    This  language  may  be  re- 


^ 

^ 


*  "  The  war  has  not  been  waged  with  a  view  to  conquest ;  but  having 
been  commenced  by  Mexico,  it  has  been  carried  into  the  enemy's  country, 
and  will  be  vigorously  prosecuted  there,  with  u  view  to  obtain  nn  honor- 
able peace,  and  thereby  secure  ample  indemnity  for  the  expenses  of  the 

to 


,»^ 


146 


IIISTOEY     OF     TUE 


gardecl  as  rather  eouivocal.  It  is  difficult  to  con- 
ce' ve  liow  indemnity  could  be  obtained  from  Mexico 
in  any  other  way,  than  by  that  whicli  a  ;<u])se(|uent 
message  of  Mr.  Polk  expressed  to  l^e  a  dismember- 
ment of  the  Mexican  territory.* 

That  the  attention  of  the  administration  was  at 
an  early  day  dii-ected  to  the  acf(uisition  of  Cali- 
fornia, there  can  be  no  doubt.  Confidential  instruc- 
tions were  issued  from  th(j  Navy  Department  to 
Commodore  Sh)at  as  early  as  June  24th,  1845,  in 
which  it  was  intimated  thai  hostilities  would  fasue. 
Sloat  was  directed  partlciilai-ly  to  avoid  any  act  of 
aggression,  but  in  case  Mexico  sh(juld  declare  war 
against  us,  he  was  directed  to  employ  the  force 
under  his  command  to  the  best  advantage.f     This 

war,  iis  well  as  to  our  much  injured  citizens,  wiio  hold  larjje  pecuniary 
demands  against  Mexico." — Message  nf  Presiiknl  Folk,  IJicrmbi'r,  1846. 

*  "The  extensive  u:  '  ''lable  territorieB  ceded  by  Mexico  to  the 
Unitod  Slates  coni^titute  inlemnily  for  the  past,  and  the  hrilliant  acliieve- 
ments  and  sii;nal  successes  of  our  arms  will  Ix!  a  ffnarantcc  of  security  for 
til.,  future.  !iy  convincing  all  nations  that  our  rights  must  be  respected." 
—  Messigr  of  Mr.  1'olk  tu  Con^rrss,  July  fiih,  1848. 

f  "  Siinuld  Mexico,  however,  be  resolutely  Iwnt  on  hostilities,  you  will 
be  mindful  tn  protect  tlie  persons  and  interests  of  citizens  of  (lie  Fnited 
States  neav  your  station,  a.ul  should  you  ascertain  beyond  a  doubt  tliat  the 
Mexican  (iov.  .vnent  lias  declared  war  against  us,  you  will  at  once  cm- 
ploy  the  force  under  ynnr  command  to  the  bes'.  advantage.  The  Mexican 
ports  on  the  Pacific  are  said  to  Iw  open  and  defenceless.  If  you  ascer- 
tain with  certainty  that  Mexico  "las  declared  war  atrainst  the  United 
States,  you  will  at  once  possess  yourself  of  the  (Kirt  of  S.in  Francisco, 
and  blockade  or  occupy  sucii  other  ports  as  your  force  may  permit. 

"  The  great  distance  of  your  squadron,  and  the  difficidty  of  commu- 
nicating with  you,  are  the  causes  for  issuing  this  order.  The  I'resident 
hopes  most  earnestly  that  the  peace  of  the  two  countries  may  not  Iw  dis- 
turbed. The  object  of  these  inslructioiis  is  to  possess  you  of  the  views 
of  the  fiovernment,  in  the  event  of  a  declanitiop  of  war  on  tlic  part  of 
Mexico  against  tiio  United  States — an  event  which  you  are  enjoined  to  do 


V 

^ 


^ 

^ 


POLK     ADMINISTEATION, 


147 


order  was  followed  by  the  expedition  under  Geiwiml 
Kearney.  I  do  not  make  the.se  ol)8ervationi«  f<>r  Xhn 
purpose  of  condemning  the  object  whicli  th<i  i.-dSk- 
net  desired  to  accomplish ;  on  the  contrary,  !<>  a^^- 
quire  "  indemnity  fctr  the  past  and  security  f<;r  thi<: 
future"  is  perfectly  justifiable,  and  esj>ecialJy  •'nhnti'. 
a  Avar  is  forced  by  a  perfidious  ]>«(>] jh^  nym  ww. 
And  under  all  circumstances,  the  av(jwal  ^kin^A 
have  been  boldly  made  that  we  prosecute<l  a  war 
of  conquest.,  if  nect-sary,  for  the  purj)ose  of  iwrjfttt' 
plishing  that  result.  If  that  had  been  doiJ<',  ati 
obstinate  enemy  would  soon  have  be(^n  l»r<^u;^}jt  if* 
terms,  when  they  ascertained  that  the  lon^^-er  tlin';: 
contest  W51S  protracted  the  gi-eater  indeUinity  wvymJdi 
be  demanded. 

The  energy  whicli  the  Presidv'ut  always  <!i^»- 
played,  did  not  fail  him  in  the  prosecution  of  ihtt 
war,  and  what  was  regarded  as  tlie  dilat<;r\'  wj^yvftv 
ments  of  General  Scott,  }»roduced  a  persojia]  jwlU^r- 
view  l)etween  the  Secretary  of  War  and  tlj<i  i'^m*- 
mander-in-chief  of  the  anny.  '^Tlie  rcKult  of  i\m 
conference  seems  to  have  given  oHewce  to  i'manrtiA 
Scott,  and  })r()duced  fi'om  him  a  Icttei-  whi<'3i  t-x- 
cited  much  ridicule,  and  caused  mingled  fciyjin;^*  <^4 
sori'ow,  surjjrise,  and  indignation.  To  racA-'iUf  thur 
comnumd  of  the  army  in  person,  as  M'at«  ^■ni^':' 
quently  exemplified,  could  but  add  new  laui^l*  to 
those  he  had  already  won.  The  secret  of  hi^  jyrov- 
ing  so  sensitive  has  been  asci'il)ed  to  his  H.*-i>'if;itif/n 
for  political  hont)rs.     If  that  was  the  correal  tsfyju- 

every  thing  consistent  with  the  national  honor,  on  your  part,  to  avij|i4,~.— 
Letter  o/"Mr.  Bancroft,  to  Commodtrre  Sloat,  June2lth,  184&. 


i 


«■ 


148 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


tion  of  the  difficulty,  it  is  strange  that  a  pei'son  so 
conscious  of  the  influence  wliich  military  achieve- 
ment exercises  over  the  American  [)eo])le  as  (Gene- 
ral Scott  must  be,  should  liesitate  to  place  him^<elf 
at  the  head  of  the  army,  for  tlu*  \)ur\H)iHi  (;f  adding 
fresh  brilliancy  to  that  reputation  ^\•hich  in  early 
life  immortalized  his  name.  Th«fre  was  no  necessity 
"to  protect  himself  from  a  fire  in  liis  rear  from 
Washington."*  Tlie  administration  could  have  no 
motive  whatever  in  endtarrassirig  the  movements 
of  the  Commander-in-Chief  He  oni^ht  to  have 
been  satisfied  that  his  own  success  w«juld  add  to 
the  reputation  of  the  lu^ministnition,  and  that  tlie 
defeat  of  the  ai'my  wouI<'  pi-r-ve  as  disastrous  to 
the  Cal)inet  an  to  hinLseil'.  As  it  wa«,  the  couree 
which  he  thought  proper  to  {)ui-sue  in  a  moment  of 
error,  resulted  in  the  witlidrawal  of  the  leadership 
of  the  army  which  had  been  tendered.  It  required 
the  effect  produced  by  Ills  brilliant  campa^m  in 
Mexico,  to  ei'adicate  the  unfavorable  imj)ression  pro- 
duced upon  the  minds  of  the  American  jx^jple  by 
his  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Under  the  act  of  May  13th,  1840,  requisitions 
were  immediately  made  upon  the  Governors  of  the 
States  of  Arkansas,  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Georgia, 
Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Missouri,  Illinois,  Indiana, 
Ohio,  and  Texas,  for  a  volunteer  force  amounting 
to  twenty-six  regiments,  whicli,  with  a  >)attalion 
fi'om  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the  State  of 
Maryland,  numbered  in  all  alx>ut  23,000  effective 
men,  to  serve  for  the  period  of  twelve  months,  or 

♦  Letter  of  General  Scolt  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  May  Slst,  1846. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


149 


to  the  end  of  the  war.  A  large  portion  of  this 
force  was  placed  under  the  command  of  General 
Taylor,  who  had  made  the  Rio  Grande  the  base  of 
his  operation.*  The  plan  of  operations  designed 
by  the  administration,  was  to  attack  Mexico  in 
several  dii-ections,  Taylor  wjis  to  advance  in  the 
direction  of  Monterey ;  General  Wool  was  to  march 
from  Antonio  De  Bexar,  in  the  direction  of  Chi- 
huahua ;  and  General  Kearney  was  to  assemble  the 
volunteei-s  from  the  State  of  Missouri,  and  a  few 
hundi'ed  regular  troops  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  and 
make  a  descent  up<jn  Santa  Fe,  and  from  thence 
with  a  portion  of  his  command  was  to  advance 
rapidly  upon  California.  Any  one,  by  glancing  at 
a  map,  Avill  at  once  discover  the  comprehensiveness 
of  this  plan.  Tlie  advance  of  General  Taylor  and 
General  Wool  into  that  portion  of  the  Mexican 
territory,  would  be  calculated  to  convince  the  Mexi-  <" ' 
cans  of  the  imj)c>rtance  of  re-opening  negotiations, 
whilst  the  expedition  under  General  Kearney  would 
obtain  ]>ossi'ssion  of  that  portion  of  Mexico  which  it 
was  desirable  to  retain. 

Befijre  General  Taylor  took  his  departure  froni 
Camargii,  considerable  embarr.ossnient  was  experi-  , 

enced  for  the  want  of  transportation  and  sup])lies  , 

for  so  large  a  force.     Tliese  difficulties  were  made 
the  subject  of  complaint  by  (Jeneral  Taylor.f    This 

*  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  Wnr,  Dpcenitier  fith,  1846. 

f  "  IlEAmjuAKTEus,  Army  of  OcctTATiov, ) 
('AMAiuio,  Sfjilemlier  l.s7,  1816.      \ 
"  Sir  :  Before  marching  for  tlio  interior,  I  beg  leave  to  place  on  re- 
cord some  remarlis  tonchin;;  an  important  i)ranchof  the  pni)lic  service,  tlie 
proper  ndininistration  of  which  is  indispensable  to  the  efficiency  of  a  cam- 

.J ASP K a  J.I1UIAUY, 
,        Oriiaiil  Mai.-h  l.KM-i, 


150 


II 1 8  T  0  11  i'     0  F     THE 


dispatoli  was  referred  l)y  tlie  War  De])ai'tnient  to 
the  Quai-terinaster  General,  TLoraius  S.  JeMip.*  Tlie 
couiplaiuts  of  General  Taylor  were  triumphantly 

puign.  I  refer  to  the  quartermaster's  department.  Tliore  is  at  ttiis  mo- 
ment, when  the  iirmy  is  about  to  take  up  a  long  line  of  march,  a  great  de- 
ficiency of  proper  moans  of  transport,  and  of  many  important  supphcs. 

"  On  the  26th  of  April,  when  first  apprising  you  of  the  increased  force 
called  out  by  me,  I  wrote  that  I  trusted  the  War  Dep'  r  ment  would  '  give 
the  necessary  orders  to  the  staff  department  for  tlu  supply  of  this  large 
additional  force ;'  and  when  first  advised  of  tlie  heavy  force  of  twelve 
months'  volunteers  ordered  hither,  I  ccald  not  donht  that  such  masses  of 
troops  would  b«  accompanied,  or  preferably  preceded,  by  ample  means  of 
transportation,  and  all  other  supplies  necessary  to  render  them  efficient. 
But  such  has  not  been  the  case.  Suitable  sicamhoats  for  the  Rio  Grande 
were  not  procured  without  repeated  efforts  directed  from  this  quarter,  and 
many  weeks  elapsed  Iwfore  a  hxlgment  could  be  made  at  this  ])lace,  the 
river  being  perfectly  navigable.  After  infinite  delays  and  embarrassments, 
I  have  succeeded  in  bringing  forward  a  portion  of  the  army  to  this  point, 
and  now  the  steamers  procured  at  Pittsburg  are  just  arriving.  I  hazard 
nothing  in  saying  tliat  if  propei  foresight  and  energy  had  been  displayed 
in  sending  out  suitable  steamers  to  navigate  the  Rio  (Jrande,  our  army 
would  long  since  have  been  in  possession  of  Monterey. 

"  Again,  as  to  land  transport.  At  tliis  moment  our  wagon  train  is 
considerably  less  than  when  we  left  Corpus  Christi — our  force  lining  in- 
creased faefuld.  Had  we  depended  upon  moans  from  without.  ",><■  army 
would  not  have  been  able  to  move  from  this  |)l:ico.  Hut  fortunalilv  the 
means  of  land  transport  existed  to  some  e.xtonl  in  the  country  in  the  shape 
of  pack-mules,  and  we  have  formed  a  train  which  will  enable  a  small  army 
to  advance  perhaps  to  Monterey.  I  wish  it  distinctly  understood,  that  our 
ability  to  move  is  due  wholly  to  means  created  here,  and  which  could  not 
have  been  reckoned  upon  with  safety  in  Washington. 

"  I  have  adverted  to  the  grand  points  of  water  and  land  transportation. 
Of  the  want  of  minor  supplies  the  army  has  suffered  more  than  enough. 
The  crying  deficiency  of  camp  equipage  has  boon  partially  relieved  by  the 
issue  of  cotton  tents  of  indifferent  quality.  Our  cavalry  has  been  para- 
lyzed by  the  want  of  horse-shoes,  hor.se-shoe  nails,  and  even  common  black- 
smith's tools,  while  many  smaller  deficiencies  are  daily  brought  to  my 
notice. 

"  I  respectfully  request  that  the  above  statement,  which  I  make  in  jus- 


I 


♦  Letter  of  tlie  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Jesup,  Sept.  21, 1816. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


151 


answered  by  the  Qnarterraaster  General  *  Being, 
at  the  time  he  an^iwered  the  charges  of  General 
Taylor,  near  the  scene  of  operations,  and  at  the 

tice  to  myself  and  the  service,  may  be  laid  before  the  General-in-chief  and 
Secretary  of  War. 

"  I  am,  mi,  rery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"Z.  TAYLOR, 
Major  General  U.  S.  A.  commanding. 
"  The  Acnn-AJFT  Gesebal  of  the  Army, 
WasiungUta,  D.  C." 

♦  "  New-Okleans,  December  5th,  1846. 

"  Sre  :  When  I  received  your  letter  of  the  2l8t  of  September,  on  the 
Bubject  of  Miyx  General  Taylor's  complaints,  I  was  apprehensive  tliat 
neglect  or  omissiMis  had  occurred  on  the  part  of  some  one  or  more  of 
the  subordinate  officers  of  the  department,  by  which  his  operations  had 
been  BtrioiL-ly  emtaTTamed ;  but  I  have  looked  into  the  whole  matter,  and 
I  am  bound  in  jiutice  to  !>ay  that  no  class  of  officers,  not  even  General 
Taylor  and  tlie  mart  distinguished  men  around  him,  have  better  or  more 
faithfully  performed  tlieir  dnty  ;  and  if  any  thing  has  been  wanting  which 
ihey  w^uld  liavc  i^applied.  it  has  been  because  the  proper  orders  were  not 
given,  or  tituely  letjui^itions  made. 

"  In  conducting  a  war,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Government  to  designate 
the  object  txj  be  accoiiiplished  :  it  is  then  the  duty  of  the  General  who 
conducti!  tlie  operatioa«,  to  call  for  the  means  required  to  accomplish  that 
object.  If  he  iiul  to  do  80,  he  is  himself  responsible  for  all  the  consequences 
of  liis  offli»'i4on.  General  Taylor  complains  of  want  of  wntcr  and  laiiu 
tranisportalion,  camp  e(|aipage,  and  shoes  for  his  cavalry  fiorses.  As  to 
water  traniiportatkin.  I  find  that  he  called  for  a  single  liijhl-draught'^ceamer 
early  in  May.  Lieu:<mant  Colonel  Hunt  could  not  at  once  nbtai'.  a  suita- 
ble boat,  but  he  execritetl  the  order  as  soon  as  it  was  possible.  Lite  in 
May,  or  early  in  Jane.  fJeneral  Taylor  considering  four  Ixiats  ne>'cssary, 
appointed  hi«  oim  agents  to  ot>tiin  them.  I  was  at  the  time  cnga,'ed  in 
taking  tneai-ure*.  under  the  orrlers  of  General  Srott,  to  obtain  sui'able 
boats  for  tlie  navigation  of  the  Rio  Grande ;  but  liaving  no  reliable  infor- 
mation in  r»?!ati'«i  to  the  navigation  of  that  river,  and  believing  General 
Taylor" (<  agent*  poMet>sed  of  the  requisite  knowledge,  I  preferred  that 
they  should  execute  biit  orders ;  and  I  limited  my  action  in  the  matter  to 
doubling  tlie  number  called  "or  by  General  Taylor ;  and  authorizing  a 
further  increase  if  considered  .necessary  by  his  brother  and  one  of  liis 
agent*.  The  number  requ'red  b  •  the  General  was,  I  believe,  nearly 
quadru|4ed  ultiaialeiy  bj  the  officer  of  the  department.     As  to  the  com- 


Si 


iH 


152 


niSTOBY     OF     THE 


place  through  which  most  of  the  supplies  passed, 
Genei'al  Jesup  could  sjieak  understaudingly  upon 
the  subject.     He  declared  he  was  bound  in  justice 


plaint  of  the  General  that  the  steamers  from  Pittsburg  were  then  (Sep- 
tember 1st),  just  arriving,  it  is  proper  to  state  that  these  were  the  very 
boats  procured  by  one  of  his  own  agents.  When  at  Pittsburg  I  inquired 
into  the  delay  of  those  boats,  and  it  is  but  justice  to  Captain  Sanders,  Ge- 
neral Taylor's  agent,  to  say  that  no  effort  was  spared  to  get  them  into  ser- 
vice as  early  as  possible. 

"As  to  the  complaint  in  regard  to  the  want  of  land  transportation,  it  ia 
proper  to  remark  that  there  was  no  information  at  Washington,  so  far  as  I 
was  informed,  to  enable  me  or  the  War  Department  to  determine  whether 
wagons  could  be  used  in  Mexico.  General  Taylor,  though  he  had  both 
mounted  troops  and  topographical  engineers,  had  not  supplied  the  want  of 
that  information.  Besides,  he  had  not,  as  far  as  I  know  and  believe,  inti- 
mated to  any  department  his  intentions  or  wishes  in  regard  to  the  means 
of  transportation  to  be  used.  It  was  known  that  ho  had  a  wagon  train, 
amply  s\illicient  for  double  the  force  he  commanded  before  the  arrival  of 
the  volunteers.  Added  to  that,  he  had  General  Arista's  means  of  trans^ 
portation ;  and  he  was  in  a  country  abounding  in  mules — the  means  of 
transportation  best  adapted  to  the  country,  and  the  only  means  used  by 
tlie  enemy.  A  general  is  expected  to  avail  himself  of  the  resources  of 
the  country  in  which  he  operates.  If  General  Taylor  failed  to  do  so,  and 
was  without  the  necessary  transportation,  he  alone  is  responsible.  Those 
means  wore  limited  only  by  his  own  will.  He  had  officers  of  the  Quar- 
termaster's Department  able  to  have  executed  his  orders,  and  willing  to 
carry  out  his  views  :  his  authority  alone  was  wanting. 

"  As  to  the  camp  equipage,  you  are  aware  that  the  appropriation  which 
I  asked  for  lost  year  was  stricken  out,  and  that  not  a  cent  was  appropria- 
ted, whicli  could  be  legally  applied  to  that  object,  before  the  9th  and  13th 
of  May.  When  the  appropriations  were  made,  the  officers  of  the  depart- 
ment were  compelled  to  obtain  materials  wheresoever  they  could  get  them, 
and  such  as  they  could  get.  Cotton  cloth  was  necessarily  substituted  for 
linen  in  the  fabrication  of  tents.  I  have  no  doubt  a  great  deal  of  the  ma- 
terial was  of  tlie  quality  represented  by  General  Taylor ;  but  that  was,  un- 
der the  circumstances,  unavoidable.  The  officers  obtained  the  best  they 
could  got,  and  deserve  credit  for  their  exertions,  in  place  of  the  censure 
they  have  received. 

"  I  am  somewhat  at  a  loss  to  imagine  why  the  deficiency -of  shoes  for 
the  dragoon  horses  was  made  a  subject  of  complaint  against  the  Quarter- 
master's Department.    A  blacksmith  is  allowed  by  law  to  every  troop  of 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


153 


to  say  that  no  class  of  officei's,  not  even  General 
Taylor,  and  the  most  distinguished  uieii  around  him, 
ha<l  better  or  more  faithfully  performed  their  duty 
than  the  officers  of  his  department ;  and  tliat  if 
any  thing  liad  been  Avanting  which  they  could  have 
8up[)lied,  it  was  because  the  proper  orders  were  not 
given,  or  timely  requisitions  made.  Any  one  who 
will  read  the  letter  of  General  Jesup,  will  come  to 


dragoons.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  commander  of  a  troop  to  liavo  liis  shoe- 
in}}  tools  complete,  and  to  have  at  all  times  the  necessnry  shoe  and  nail  iron ; 
and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  regimental  commander  to  see  that  timely  requisi- 
tions be  made.  Now,  if  those  officers  failed  to  have  what  was  necessary  to 
tlic  efficiency  of  their  commands,  let  General  Taylor  hold  them  accountable. 
The  Quartermaster's  department  is  not  responsible  for  their  neglects. 

"  As  I  came  tlirongh  the  western  country  to  this  city,  I  was  informed 
that  a  report  was  circulating  that  General  Taylor  would  have  taken  for- 
ward to  Monterey  a  much  larger  force  of  volunteers,  but  for  the  neglect 
of  the  Quartermaster's  department  to  furnish  the  means  of  transportation. 
In  reply  to  that  re|K)rt,  I  respectfully  ask  your  attention  to  the  letter  of 
General  Taylor  of  the  2d  of  July  to  the  Adjutant  Genend.  Tbere  he 
tells  you,  through  that  officer,  that  he  proposes  to  operate  from  ('amargo  to 
Monterey  :  he  tells  you  that  he  will  operate  with  a  column  of  alwut  (i,000 
men :  that  he  must  rely  on  the  country  for  meat,  and  dcp6t  at  Camargo  for 
bread  ;  and  adds,  as  the  reason  for  not  taking  a  greater  frrce,  that  a  colinnn 
exceeding  six  thousand  men  cannot  be  supplied  on  the  t  route  with  bread 
alone. 

"  I  feel,  sir,  that  every  officer  of  tlie  department  has  performed  his  duty 
faithfully,  if  not  ably,  and  that  the  charges  of  Genend  Taylor  are  both 
unjust  and  unmerited.  As  regards  myself,  I  feel  that  I  have  performed  my 
whole  duty,  both  to  the  country  and  to  the  army ;  and  i;'  the  slightest  doubt 
remain  on  that  subject,  1  owe  it  to  myself  to  demand  an  immediate  and  tho- 
rougli  investigation  of  my  conduct,  and  that  of  the  department,  from  the 
commencement  of  operations  on  the  Texan  frontier,  as  well  previous  to  as 
during  the  war. 

"  I  am,  sir,  mof/t  respectfully,  yoi   obedient  servant, 

"TH.  S.  JESUP, 
Major  General,  Quartermaster  General. 
"The  Hon.  VVm.  L.  Marcy, 

Secretary  of  War,  Washington  City." 


l/>4 


HISTOItY     OF     THE 


tlu?  <r'>r(*'l»i,*ioTi,  that  the  embaiTassments  of  wliich 
ihttwrii]  Taylor  complained,  were  the  result  of  a 
failurfi  ou  )m  part  to  make  the  necessaiy  deraancls, 
or  i*'<;r«  to  be  attrilmted  to  the  conduct  of  the 
ag<'iitH  ha  had  selectcid  himself. 

AtifdhcT  source  of  annoyance  to  the  administrar 
tioii  wm  the  unauthorized  conduct  of  General 
(iatu('*f  id  tliat  time  in  command  of  the  Southwes- 
t4^r«  di  vHJf»n.  lie  sent  forward  volunteers  to  Texas, 
ill  tmtu\»('r  considerably,  exceeding  the  call  made  by 
(U'ucral  Taylor,  for  that  description  of  force  *  Tlie 
call  of  (J^'fifral  (laines  was  recognized  to  the  extent 
of  th«  Tiiim}»eT  of  volunteei-s  sent  to  the  Rio  Grande, 
up  to  May  28th,  1846.  The  motives  of  that  officer 
no  ona  wan  prepared  to  call  in  question  ;  but  from 
hU  ath'ntmA  age,  he  was  not  in  a  condition  to  de- 
c'uUi  mih  a.^  much  judgment  as  he  once  possessed, 
ua  to  tlif;  real  necessities  of  the  case.  Ilis  action 
e&tm^\  the  War  Department  much  embarrassraent.f 
H<j  calhrd  out  and  mustered  into  service,  troops  not 
compri^;d  in  the  demand  of  General  Tayloi',  on 
Jj:mUmta  and  Texas.  Volunteere  from  Alabama 
and  MJ*»orjri,  who  had  left  those  States  ])efore  the 
call  of  (ieneral  (Jaines  could  be  countermanded  by 
thtt  l*r>-»ident,  were  received  into  ser\ace.  These 
volMf(t^'^r>*  were  not  raised  under  the  proviisions  of 
th(t  sud  f jf  May,  1 84G ;  they  were,  therefoi-e,  to  be 
rt*iinrAf'(\  in  service  })y  virtue  of  the  act  of  1795, 
©f>f(*(r/jM*'Tilly,  for  the  term  of  three  months.  There 
wa.«  no  atithority  to  receive  the  volunteei-s  intf)  ser- 

*  Leitfv  tff  Mr.  Marcy  to  General  Taylor,  May  28th,  1846. 

t  Lrtfiw  of  thfi  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Taylor,  June  26th,  1846. 


I 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION. 


155 


vice  for  six  months.  By  the  law  of  1795,  they  were 
to  serve  for  three  months,  and  l)y  the  law  of  May, 
1846,  for  twelve  months,  or  during  the  war.  To  re- 
fuse to  receive  them  after  the  sacrifices  they  had 
made,  was  the  cause  of  much  regret,  hut  there  was  no 
other  alternative ;  they  were  not  legally  in  the  pul> 
lie  service,  under  any  existing  law,  and  the  Presi- 
dent had  no  power  to  receive  them,  unless  they 
thought  proper  to  offer  their  services  under  the  act 
of  May,  1846. 

It  was  deemed  advisable,  in  the  mean  time,  to 
transfer  General  Gaines  from  the  Southern  to  the 
Northern  department,  and  he  was  ordered  to  make 
his  head-quarters  at  New- York,  instead  of  New 
Orleans. 

After  the  amval  of  the  requisite  number  of 
volunteers  from  the  United  States,  General  Taylor 
prepared  to  advance  upon  Monterey,  by  the  way  of 
Camargo.  He  left  Matamoras  during  the  latter 
part  of  August,  with  a  column  consisting  of  about 
6,000  regular  and  volunteer  troops,  and  arnved 
before  Monterey  on  the  19th  of  Septeml)er,  1846.* 
Our  troops  were  now  in  \aew  of  a  large  city,  whose 
natural  defences  and  massive  fortifications  rendered 
it  almost  impregnable.  More  than  forty  pieces  of 
artillery  defended  its  frowning  walls,  and  the  battle- 
ments were  protected  by  T,000  troops  of  the  line, 
and  more  than  two  thousand  irregulars.  It  was 
here  that  the  chivalrous  Worth  obtained  the  op- 
portunity for  which  he  panted,  to  make  amends  for 
his  absence  fi'om  the  battle-fields  of  Palo  Alto  and 


S' 


*  Dispatch  of  Oeneral 


r 

I 


Taylor,  dated  Monterey,  September  22.i8!iA,  *^         ^   A  ■» 


156 


HISTOUY     OF     TIIK 


Kesaca  de  la  Palma.  Believing  himself  injured  by 
the  decision  which  permitted  General  Twiggs  to 
rank  him,  he  left  Texas,  and  appearing  at  Wash- 
ington, tendered  his  resignation  to  the  President. 
In  opposition  to  the  opinion  which  prevailed  at  the 
seat  of  Government,  IVL*.  Polk  refused  to  accept  it, 
and  his  military  skill  and  daring  courage  were  given 
to  his  country  in  the  struggle  which  ensued.  When 
he  heard  of  the  collision  between  the  rival  forces 
on  the  banks  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  whidj  he  did 
not  anticipate,  he  mthdrew  the  tender  wliich  he 
had  made  of  his  commission,  and  repaired  immedi- 
ately to  the  seat  of  war.  Although  his  gallantry 
was  conspicuous  among  all  those  leaders  who  sur- 
rounded General  Scott,  I  take  this  o])j)oi'tunity  of 
referring  briefly  to  that  commander.  Geii<;ral 
Worth  entered  the  army  at  an  early  period  of  liis 
life ;  his  headlong  impetuosity  at  the  sanguinary 
battles  of  Lundy's  Lane  and  Chippewa,  oljtained 
for  him  a  high  re])utation,  which  was  greatly  in- 
creased by  his  ser\nces  in  Flonda.  The  best  dis- 
ciplinarian in  the  army,  he  was  yet  the  idol  of  tlie 
soldiery.  Gifted  with  an  imposing  presence,  an 
eye  which  has  been  compared  to  the  eagle's,  an 
affability  of  manner,  a  courage  perfectly  regai'dless 
of  death  in  the  hour  of  l)attle,  a  fixedness  of  pur- 
pose, and  a  coolness  of  judgment  which  the  thunders 
of  artillery  could  not  disturl);  he  combined  evcy 
requisite  which  sliotdd  chai'acterize  a  man  and  a 
soldier.  Burning  with  impatience  to  silence,  T)y 
some  splendid  achievement,  the  wliispei-s  which  his 
absence  from  the  conflicts  of  the  8th  and  yth  of 


^m^ 


POLK     ADJIINISTHATION. 


157 


May  produced,  lie  joined  the  army  of  invasion. 
The  conduct  of  General  Taylor  in  giving  him 
a  separate  command,  at  Monterey,  dLsi)layed  the 
frankness  of  the  disinterested  soldier.  It  Avas  fear- 
ed l)y  those  who  did  not  undei-stand  the  character 
of  General  Worth,  that  in  the  effort  to  gain  a  l)ril- 
liant  victory  he  would  be  regardless  of  the  lives 
of  his  men,  but  the  I'esult  proved  him  a  better  man, 
and  a  more  skilful  general. 

From  the  configuration  of  the  country  through 
which  the  road  passed,  leading  to  Saltillo,  it  was  de- 
termined to  attack  the  town  in  that  direction.  For 
this  purpose,  the  second  division  was  placed  under 
the  command  of  General  Worth,  and  at  2  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  on  the  20th  September,  1846,  he  started  to 
execute  the  duty  assigned  him.  The  enemy,  in  the 
mean  time,  had  thrown  reinforcements  into  the 
Bishop's  palace,  and  upon  the  heights  which  com- 
manded it.*  To  divert  the  attention  of  the  Mexi- 
cans, Generals  Butler  and  Twiggs  displayed  their 
divisions  before  the  town.  On  the  morning  of  the 
21st,  the  division  under  General  Worth  was  put 
in  motion,  and  soon  encountered  a  strong  force  of 
cavalry  and  infantry,  and  after  a  sharp  conflict  the 
Mexicans  were  defeated.  The  examinations  made 
proved  the  impracticability  of  making  any  effective 
advances  upon  the  city,  without  fii*st  obtaining  pos- 
session of  the  exterior  foils  and  batteries.  About 
300  men  composed  a  storming  party  for  the  purpose 
of  effecting  that  object ;  one  fort  after  another  was 
taken  under  a  tremendous  fire,  until  they  were  ena- 


r.1 


'  Dispatch  of  General  Taylor,  October  9th,  1846. 


wm 


158 


IIISTOllY     OF     THE 


bled  to  bring  their  guns  to  bear  upon  the  Biishop'a 
palace.*  To  carry  the  building  was  the  next  object 
to  be  acconij)lished.  It  is  situated  about  midway 
the  soutliern  sh)pe  of  tlie  hill  Indqicntlenciit.  This 
was  accomplished  on  tlu;  2'2i\,  by  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  feats  recorded  in  the  annals  of  warfare. 
The  ])osition  they  had  tlms  gained  enabled  them 
to  send  their  iron  hail  into  tlu;  (irand  I'iaza.  The 
town  was  now  peifectly  under  the  control  of  Wortli's 
artillery.  In  the  mean  time,  a  demonstration  was 
made  b'y  the  forces  under  the  immediute  conunand 
of  ( General  Taylor,  upon  the  other  end  of  the  town. 
Here  the  loss  of  the  Americans  was  very  severe, 
and  it  was  only  Ijy  "Imrrowing"  through  the 
houses  that  they  could  make  much  progress  into 
the  heart  of  the  city.  Tlie  display  of  daring  upon 
the  part  of  both  regulars  and  volunteere  was  highly 
satisfactory,  and  added  still  more  to  tlie  reputation 
of  the  formei',  and  covered  Avith  renown  the  deeds 
of  the  latter. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  of  September, 
General  Taylor  received  a  communication  from 
Anii>udia,  proposing  to  evacuate  the  town,  upon 
condition  that  he  should  be  suffered  to  take  with 
him  the  j)e>'-so)iel  and  materiel  of  war.f  This  pi'o- 
pt)sition  Avas  refused  by  General  Taylor,;};  and  the 
unconditional  surrender  of  the  town  and  the  garri- 

*  Report  of  General  Worth,  September  28th,  1846. 

f  Ix?ttcr  of  General  Aiiipiulin,  September  23d,  to  General  Taylor. 

J  "  A  complete  surrender  of  the  town  and  garrison,  the  latter  aa  pris- 
oners of  war,  is  now  deinandod.  The  garrison  will  be  allowed,  at  your 
option,  after  laying  down  its  arms,  to  retire  to  the  interior,  on  condition 
of  not  serving  again  during  the  war,  until  regularly  exchanged." — Letter 

,/•  /•<™-.— ./   f/'^..)..-  ..,  ^.'o^^-^;    4«,.v,„;;„     «».o/»™/,or  O.Kh     ISJfi 


d 


rOLK     ADJIINIBTUATION. 


159 


son  as  prisone'i  of  war  was  demancled.  Upon  the 
same  day  that  General  Taylor  made  thin  response 
to  the  Mexican  General-in-Cliief,  nmch  more  favor- 
able terms  were  extended  to  him*  The  city,  forti- 
fications, cannon,  munitions  of  war,  and  all  other 
public  property,  with  some  excej)tions,  were  sur- 
rendered, but  the  Mexican  forces  were  allowcfd  to 
retain  their  accoutrements,  (jne  battery  of  six  j)ieces^ 
with  twenty -on.  rounds  of  ammunition.  They  were 
to  retire  witli'n  veil  days  from  that  date,  beyond 
the  line  formed  by  the  ])ass  of  the  Rincoiiada,  the 
city  of  Linares  and  San  Fernando  De  Presstos,  and 
the  forces  of  the  United  States  were  not  to  advance 
beyond  the  line  specified  Ix.'fore  the  oxi>iratioii  of 
eight  weeks,  or  until  the  order  or  instructions  of 
the  respective  Governments  could  be  received.  The 
Mexican  flat;  when  struck  at  the  citadel  was  to  be 
saluted  by  its  own  battery,  llie  terms  of  tliis 
cajntulation  created  nmch  dissatisfaction  in  the 
United  States.  It  was  a  subject  of  much  regret 
that  General  Taylor  did  not  exact  from  the  enemy 
more  rigorous  terms,  llie  Secretary  of  War,  in 
response  to  the  communication  from  (Jeneral  Taylor, 
was  directed  by  the  Pivsichmt  to  inform  him  that 
he  regretted  it  was  not  deemed  ad^isabh-  to  insist 
upon  the  terms  Avhich  he  had  Inst  pi'oposc(l,  al- 
though it  was  suggested  that  the;  ciicumstances 
doubtless  justified  the  change;.*     The  reasons  given 

♦  See  terms  of  the  capitiilntion  of  Monterey,  Kxeciitive  Docutnoiits, 
2d  Session  'J!)tli  ("onirros?,  volume  4,  Doc.  No.  110. 

t  "  In  relation  to  the  terms  of  capitiihition  of  Monterey,  tire  President 
instructs  nio  to  .say  tliut  lie  regrets  it  wus  not  advisalilo  to  insist  upon  the 


./A.SPKll  J.IJUIAIIY, 
O  lit  a  Hi  March  1.1  a.";  A, 


mmtmm 


160 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


by  General  Taylor*  for  acceding  to  the  teimn  of 
capitulation,  were  fii-st,  the  impossiltility  of  pitjvent- 
ing  the  escape  of  the  Mexicans  thr<jugh  the  various 
passes  leading  from  the  city,  and  the  di  tructi(>:i  oi 
their  artillery  and  m/igaziiics;  and  secondly,  the  im- 
possibility of  moving  forward  in  force  until  the 
time  selected  for  the  cessation  of  hostilities  had  ex- 
])ired,f    The  Secretary  ot  War  informed  General 

terms  which  you  had  first  propospil.  Tlio  circumstances  whicii  dictated 
doubtless  justified  tiie  change.  Tiio  President,  uninformtd  of  these  cir- 
cumstances, does  not  know  in  what  degree  tlie  recent  change  in  (ho  (jov- 
emf,:fi!t  of  Slexico  may  iiavo  contributed  to  this  result.  Cortnin  it  is, 
however,  thai  the  present  rulers  of  that  republic  liave  not  yet  given  any 
evidence  that  they  arc  '  favorable  to  the  iulcrestM  of  peace.'  Of  this  you 
will  have  already  been  informed  by  my  dispatch  of  the  22d  ultimo."^ 
Ijetter  of  the  Secninr;/  of  War  to  Gi'veral  Taylor,  Orlolwr  ]3lh,  1846. 

*  "  The  force  with  which  !  advanced  on  Monterey  was  limited  by 
causes  beyond  my  control,  to  about  6,000  men.  Willi  this  force,  as  every 
military  man  mu.st  admit  who  has  seen  the  ground,  it  was  entirely  imnos- 
sible  to  invest  Monterey  so  closely  as  to  nrevenf  the  escape  of  tli-  garri- 
son. Although  the  main  communication  with  the  interior  v. as  in  our 
p«;.ssession,  yet  one  route  was  o[)cn  to  the  Mexicans  \rougliout  the  nit- 
rations, and  could  not  bo  closed,  as  were  also  other  minor  trucks  and 
passes-  through  the  mountains.  Had  we,  therefore,  insisted  on  moir 
rigorous  terms  than  those  granted,  the  result  would  iiave  been  the  escape 
of  the  body  of  the  Mexican  force,  with  the  destruction  of  Vs  artillery  and 
magazines ;  our  only  advantage  being  the  capture  of  a  few  irisoners  of 
war,  at  the  expen.se  of  valuable  lives  and  nnich  damage  to  tlir  •ity.  Tho 
considt  'ation  of  humanity  was  present  to  lay  mind  during  the  conference 
whicli  led  to  the  convention,  and  outweighed  in  my  judgment  Mie  doubtful 
advantages  to  be  gained  by  a  resumption  of  tlie  attack  upon  the  town. 
This  corudiision  has  been  fully  confirmed  by  an  inspection  of  the  enemy's 
position  and  means  since  the  surrender.  It  whh  discovered  that  his 
pri:icipal  magazine,  containing  an  immense  ainoiint  of  powder,  was  in 
the  iiathodrnl,  completely  exposed  to  our  shells  from  two  directions.  Tho 
exp'osion  of  this  mass  of  jxiwder,  which  must  have  ultimately  resulted 
from  a  continua.  •<>  of  the  bombardment.  w-M  have  been  infinitely  dis- 
astrous, involving  the  destruction  not  only  of  Mexican  troops,  but  of 
non-combatantu,  and  even  our  own  people,  had  we  pressed  the  attack." 

f  "  In  regard  to  the  tein|wrary  cessation  of  hostilities,  the  fact  that 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION. 


1«1 


Taylc»r  tliat  lie  would  i)ercexve  Ly  the  Unior  <yf  th*i 
tlis])ati'lu'.s  from  tlu;  W^ur  Dei)ai-tnient,  tliat  tli-:-  (f«fr' 
eriiiiK-iit  did  not  contt!in])lato  the  occurreiijwi  <yf  any 
contiiigency  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war  in  wiiiierli 
it  would  be  expedient  to  suspend  hoHtiliticfs  Ix'fore 
tlie  otler  of  aceej^table  terms  of  i)eac<' ;  aii<l  aW* 
gave  him  instructions  to  terminate  the  uyuiiAucK 
immediately*  It  camiot  be  regarded  in  aiiy  <4bK;r 
light  than  as  a  most  unfoi-tunate  result,  that  afitn-r  a 
loss  of  12  officers  and  1U8  men  killed,  31  <yfl3<a<-r» 
and  iUJY  men  wounded  in  capturing  the  city,  itlnst 
8,000  Mexicans  should  be  suffered  to  retiie  %hh 
arms  in  their  hands  without  even  a  parole  of  \if/t0tr 
that  they  would  not  fight  again  dui-ing  ih*i  war, 
Tliat  Anipudia  would  have  acceiled  to  an)-  Uttttn 
when  his  head-quartei"s  were  brought  under  i\i*i  iir*t 


wo  are  not  at  tliis  moment  (witliin  eleven  days  of  the  termitrntiuu  'A  'JW 
period  (ixrd  by  tlic  convention)  prepared  to  move  forwurd  in  Ujina;  i*  « 
buflicient  explanation  of  tlie  military  reasons  wliicli  dictalcd  tlii.>  m»^i*ni' 
bion  of  arms.  It  paralyzed  the  enemy  durin;;  a  period  when,  fr.jiu  itA«f 
want  of  necessary  means,  wc  coiikl  not  possibly  move.  I  det^ir?  <lirtt*tt»riy 
to  state,  and  to  call  the  attention  of  the  authorities  to  the  fart,  iltjtt  »/!k 
all  diligonco  in  breaking  mules  and  setting  up  wagons,  the  firrit  wvi^um  im 
addition  to  our  original  train  from  Corpus  Christi  (and  but  1120  in  umhAw) 
reached  my  head-(|uartcrs  on  the  same  day  with  the  Stcrrtary't.  ojumi*' 
nifation  of  October  13tli,  viz.,  the  2d  inst.  At  the  date  of  tlie  »urr*i«Hlw 
of  Monterey  our  force  had  not  more  than  ten  days'  rations  ;  and  t-Mv  nrnv^ 
with  nil  iiur  emleavors,  we  have  not  more  than  twenty-five.  'J'lif  i.»r)k  </ 
fighting  and  heating  the  enoiiiy  is  among  the  least  diiricult  lliul  «*■  »i^ 
counter;  the  great  (|uestioii  of  supplies  necessarily  cuiilrols  all  t.lif  /i^^ 
rations  in  a  country  like  this.  At  the  date  of  the  convention  I  f^ouW  wjt, 
cif  course,  have  foreseen  that  the  department  would  direct  an  u\\\i<)ri.v$li 
detachment  fn-.m  my  command  without  consulting  me,  or  wiihoirt  «uit,iA(gf 
the  result  of  the  main  operation  under  my  orders." — /y«pr  nf  IJrmntt 
Taylor  In  the  SemUiry  nf  W'nr,  Mnvcnihir  Hlh,  184*). 

*  liOttcr  o(  Mr.  Marcy  to  (ieneral  Taylor,  October  „3lh,  I'lVi. 
11 


162 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


-f- 


of  Worth's  artilleiy,  there  is  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve. As  it  was,  the  victory  cunnot  he.  considered 
as  com})lete,  when  the  right  to  salute  tlieir  flag  was 
extended  to  the  enemy,  and  j)ennisnion  given  him 
to  resume  hostilities  again. 

The  destinies  of  INIexico  were  at  this  time;  con- 
trolled l)y  Santa  Anna.  In  Augiwt,  1S4('>,  tlie 
poAver  of  Paredes  wasovertlinnvn,  and  shortly  after 
Santa  Anna  returned  from  Havana  to  Mexlc(»,  The 
permission  given  hy  Mr.  Polk  to  Santa  Anna  to  re- 
turn to  Mexico,*  has  })een  ma<le  the  subject  of 
much  animadvei'sion.  It  hsw  l)cen  insi^^ted  that  he 
offered  no  obstructions  to  tin*  return  of  the  aMest 
of  the  ]\Iexican  chieftains.  During  the  war,  pu])lic 
opinion  rather  condemned  tills  act  npon  the  j)art  of 
Mr.  Polk,  but  the  time  has  nowarrive<l  when  it  can 
be  examined  with  more  calmne?».H,  and  all  the  cir- 
cumstances which  evidently  controlled  him  in  gTiiit- 
ing  that  permission,  cai:  he  impai-tially  ccjiisidc.ed. 
It  will  l)e  recollected  that  the  basis  of  the  revolu- 
tion which  placed  Paredes  in  power,  was  the  fact, 
that  llcrrera  had  acceptc-d  overtures  for  the  settle- 
ment of  the  ditJiculties  between  the  two  countritis.f 


*  ["rRIVATB  AlID  COirtDESTIAI,.] 

"  UNiTEn  States  Navv  Dki-aiitmf.xt,  Mtiij  \Z,  1840. 
"  CoMMonoRE  :  If  Sniita  Anna  ondi-avori!  to  fntnr  the  Mexican  ports, 
pu  will  iillow  liiin  to  pasH  froely. 

"  Kcspoctrnlly,  yiTN  CJEOROF:  nANTROFT. 

"  Coinin(xlore  David  Coxner,  commandiinj  Ilonio  Hqnudmn." 

t  "  We  now  turn  a  plance  to  Mexico,  where  will  l>e  found  eHt'-liliphed 
the  (joverninpnt  of  (ii-ncml  I'arcdi'x.  A«one  of  llif  motives  hy  wliirh  the 
rrvolntionislH  siip|K)rtcd  tlicir  prorMiiiriamento,  wnc  Ihnt  thendtiiini-tralion 
of  Horrcra  did  not  dcHiru  to  carry  on  thin  war;  the  new  (lovcrnnirnt  waa 


OL 


'.I   / 


.lAj^pfcjtt  tiuiiAiVv. 


"^•^  ,i^~ 


'  (L'.HV'. 


^awx^ 


<4rujk 


c 


POLK     ADJIINISTRATION, 


163 


Paredes  was  not  only  the  most  clamorous  of  all  the 
Mexican  chieftains  for  a  war  with  the  United  States, 
but  he  was  known  to  be  a  monarchist  in  principle. 
If  necessary  tc>  ena])le  them  to  contend  successfully 
against  the  Uvuttjd  States,  he  was  in  favor  of  call- 
ing to  the  aid  of  Mexico  a  foreign  power,  by  the 
tender  of  a  throne.  Although  it  might  l)e  a  tri\aal 
affair  to  chastise  the  insolence  of  the  Mexicans,  yet 
it  would  be  more  ditHcult,  if  they  were  able  to 
obtain  the  aid  of  France  and  Spain.  This  wjus  a 
consummation  l)y  no  means  imj)rol>able.  The  ba- 
lance of  jiower  doctrine  had  been  j)roclaimed  by 
Guizot— a  docti'ine  against  which  our  Government 
is  committed.  For  tlie  purpose,  then,  of  preventing 
an  alliance  ))etween  Mexico  and  any  of  the  Kuro- 
pean  powei-s,  either  to  obtain  trooj)s  to  fight  her 
battles,  or  to  make  that  country  a  dependem*y  of 
France  or  Spain,  it  was  perfectly  justifiable  in  Mr. 
Polk  to  produce  internal  dissensions  in  Mexico. 
Independent  (»f  this  view  of  thesulyect,  we  had  a 
peifect  right  to  produce  as  much  anarchy  and  con- 
fusion in  that  motley  assemblage  called  republicans, 
as  possible.     Whatever  may  have  been  the  crimes 

bound  to  do  bo  at  any  cost." — Mexican  History  of  the  War  in  Mexico, 
p.  38. 

"  The  commnnd  of  the  division  of  rpscrv-p.  dostinnd  to  operate  on  the 
frontier  of  Texas,  was  intriisted  to  (lenrml  I'nredes,  who,  ahiiouph  ho 
had,  from  causes  of  porsotiai  disisalisfaclion,  contributed  to  the  overthrow 
of  Santa  .Anna,  lias  always  been  known  as  the  advocate  of  centralism,  or 
rather  of  n  militiry  despotism,  ordered  to  advance  several  months  since,  to 
the  line  of  the  Rio  del  Norte,  he  has,  on  various  frivolous  pretexts,  con- 
stantly disolieyed  or  evaded  his  inslruclicms,  and  the  government,  although 
it  cannot  have  l)epn  ignorant  of  his  hostile  intentions,  has  not  dared  to  dis- 
place him." — [tdirr  of  Mr.  Slidill  In  Mr.  Hiirhaiinn,  December  27th, 
1845.     Exiru/ive  Do-.'umrnls,  \$l  x-siiion  30th  f '(iryfre.t.1,  p.  34. 


.1 


mimmF 


mm 


w 


164 


ni8T0Bi      OF     THE 


comniitted  by  Santa  Anna,  he  was  certainly  opposed 
to  the  establlslinient  of  a  monarchy  in  Mexico. 
That  danger,  then,  vvtus  not  to  be  apprehended,  if 
he  once  more  ol)tained  the  reins  of  government. 
Besi<les,  the  hope  was  entertained  that  he  Avoukl 
emj^loy  his  inflnence  in  ivstoring  pacific  rehitions 
between  the  two  countries.* 

Those  })ersons  who  have  so  fiercely  assailed  the 
conduct  of  Mr.  Tolk,  in  permitting  Santa  Anna  to 
return,  may  not  be  a]>prised  of  the  fact,  that  the  pre- 
sent Chief  Magistrate  of  this  countiy  placed  reliance 
in  the  declarations  of  Santa  Anna,  that  he  was 
favorable  to  j)eace.f  He  supj)oscd,  that  the  change 
of  Government  in  ilexico  (in  his  letter  defending 
himself  for  granting  an  armistice),  since  his  last  in- 
structicms,  fully  warranted  him  in  listening  t«)  the 
propositions  of  Am])udia.  That  chii/i</e  of  Goneni- 
mtid  was  the  substitution  of  Santa  Anna  for  Gene- 


*  Agnin  :  "  In  the  course  of  civil  war,  tlie  fiovcrnment  of  Geiiornl  Pa- 
redes  was  ovortlirown.  We  coiiltl  not  bnt  lotilj  tipuii  tliis  ns  a  fortunate 
event,  lx>lievin};  tliiit  any  other  aJininistrntion,  representing  Mexico,  would 
be  less  deluded,  more  patriotic,  and  more  prudent — looking  to  the  com- 
mon good,  weighing  prohaliilities,  strength,  resources,  and,  above  nil,  the 
general  opinion  as  to  the  inevitnliie  results  of  a  national  war.  We  were 
deceived — as  perhaps  you,  Mexican-*,  were  also  deceived,  in  judging  of  the 
real  intentions  of  (iencral  Santu  Anna,  whom  you  recalled,  and  whom 
our  (lovernment  permitted  to  return."' — Prticlamaivm  nf  (Jrniriil  Scull  lo 
the  Mexicans,  May  11,  1847,  al  Jutaixt. 

t  "  In  the  conference  with  General  Ampudia,  I  was  distinctly  told  by 
him  that  ho  had  invited  it  to  spare  the  furtlisr  effusion  of  1)1ikmI,  and  Ik)- 
causc  General  Santa  Aiuia  had  declared  himself  favondile  to  peace.  I 
knew  that  our  (ioverniucnt  had  made  pro|K)sitions  to  that  of  Mexico  lo  ne- 
gotiate, and  I  deemed  that  ihe  change  of  (iovernment  in  that  country  since 
my  last  instructions,  fully  warranted  me  in  entertaining  considerations  of 
policy." — Dispalchts  </  (jimral  Taylor  to  tlie  War  DeyarlimnI,  A'oicHi- 
her  Sth,  184G. 


w 


mm 


POLK     ADMIXISTRATIOIT. 


165 


ral  Pare<l<*r«,  as  the  President  of  ^lexico.  Tlie  in- 
^frurfioiuf  to  w'hicli  he  rett'i-s,  did  not  contemplate 
that  any  contin«(ency  would  happen  in  the  prosecn- 
ti«in  of  the  war,  in  wliich  it  would  ])e  expedient  to 
.susjH.'nd  h<;-:tiliti«"S  before  the  offer  of  aeceptalde 
tenas  of  ]M'tu-r.*  Under  these  insti'uetions,  then, 
when  fienenil  Taylor  agi-eed  to  a  suspensi(ju  of  hos- 
tiliti^-s,  hi-  ina>t  have  believed,  not  only  that  Santa 
Anna  wonid  oft'er  aceejitable  terms  of  peace,  Init 
that  he  hail  already  done  so.  Placing  the  jK'rmis 
sion  given  Santa  Anna  to  return  to  Mexico,  alone 
ujxtn  the  ground  of  his  supposed  exertions  to  pro- 
duce peace,  the  two  Amei-ican  Executives  were 
Ixtth  'h'ceivi-i],  and  the  judgments  of  neither  proved 
iufallibit. 

On  the  iTth  of  July,  1840,  the  President  of 
the  United  ^f»ates  caused  pi-opositions  to  he  made 
to  the  Mexican  (io\t  ?-nment,  for  the  termination  of 
existing  difficulties  in  a  treaty  of  peace.f  This  ])r<> 
jx»>ition  was  resjM.nded  to  by  the  iSIexican  autho- 
r!ti«'s,  Augii't  olst  followii'i^.  The  only  answer 
nnule  to  thU  conciliatoiy  ofte.'-  was  the  proposition 
to  lay  it  iM-fore  the  Mexican  Couirress,  to  be  as- 
sembled on  the  r»th  of  December  thereafter. J  Too 
little  reliance  was  j. laced  in  the  favorable  action  of 
that  IxMly,  to  authorize  a  suspension  of  hostilities 
for  HO  h>ng  a  jH-ri«Ml.  They  had  proved  to  >  reirard- 
leftM  of  plighted  faith,  to  render  it  at  all  probable, 

• 

•  I^Hlw  <rf  Mr,  Marry  to  Geiirral  Tiiylor.  Odolxr  13,  I«  Ifi. 

I  l>Hter  '4  .Mr.  Burhannn.  to  tlio  .Minister  of  Foroijrii  Rclatitms  of  tlie 
Mexicnn  FU^ciMir.  July  -J7.  IS  Mi. 

)  l^i'-T '4  Manwl  ''re!>cencio  Rcjon.  Moxicnn  Secretary  ol' Fi>rpign 
Aflairo.  .Nu!ni»t  31.  I>«ttf. 


> 


i 

?  1 


7J 


166 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


that  where  no  pledges  were  made,  the  Mexican 
Congress  would  agree  to  terms  unless  they  were 
forced  by  stern  necessity ;  and  the  projjosition  of 
the  Mexican  Government  was  rejected,  and  they 
were  informed  that  the  appeal  to  arms  would  be 
continued. 

The  column  under  Brigadier  General  Wool, 
consisting  of  about  1,400  men,  destined  for  the  con- 
quest of  Chihuahua,  was  put  in  motion  from  San 
Antonia  de  Bexar,  on  the  29th  of  September,  1846. 
Crossing  the  Kio  Grande,  he  traversed  Coahuila 
and  arrived  at  Monclova,  on  the  31st  of  October, 
and  was  well  received  by  the  inhabitants.*  The 
force  of  General  Wool  having  been  diverted  from 
its  oiiginal  destination,  it  never  reached  Chihuahua, 
and  he  subse(|uently  joined  his  command  to  the 
army  of  General  Taylor. 

On  the  30th  of  June,  Brigadier  General  Kearny, 
with  1,600  regulai-s  and  volunteei-s,  marched  from 
Fort  Leavenworth,  in  the  direction  of  Santa  F6, 
where  he  arrived  after  a  march  of  873  miles,  on  the 
18th  of  August,  and  took  possession  of  New  Mexico 
by  a  l)loodle8S  achievement.  The  Mexican  forces 
under  the  command  of  Governor  Armijo,  amount- 
ing to  4,000,  mgloriously  fled ;  and  the  Governor 
himself,  with  a  small  party  of  dragoons,  departed  in 
haste  for  Chihuahua.  General  Kearny  was  autho- 
rized to  muster  into  service  a  battalion  from  among 
the  emigrants,  who  were  on  their  way  to  Oregon 
and  California  ;  in  addition  to  this  force,  1,000  volun- 
te«;rs  were  started  from  Missouri  to  reinforce  him. 

*  Tlie  reoort  oftlie  Secretary  of  War,  December,  1846. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


167 


In  August,  1846,  General  Kearny  communicated 
to  the  War  Department  tlie  fact,  that  he  had  under 
Lis  command  a  greater  number  of  troops  than  was 
necessary  to  retain  possession  of  Santa  Fe,  and  for 
the  conquest  of  California ;  and  that  he  proposed 
sending  a  portion  of  them  to  reinforce  General  Wool, 
whom  he  supposed  was  advancing  upon  Chihuahua  * 
On  the  23d  of  September,  1846,  Colonel  Doni- 
phan, with  the  first  regiment  of  Missouri  volunteers 
started  upon  that  celebrated  march,  which  has  not 
inaptly  been  compared  to  that  of  Xenophon.  The 
jLtn  Avho  composed  that  regiment,  were  young, 
hardy,  and  possessed  of  a  desperate  and  reckless 
courage,  and  were  well  fitted  for  a  service  which 
was  surrounded  by  so  many  perils.  It  was  not 
known  when  Doniphan  left  Santa  Fe,  that  the 
column  under  the  command  of  General  Wool  had 
been  divei-ted  from  its  movement  upon  Chihuahua, 
and  he  therefore  penetrated  with  his  small  band  of 
heroes  into  a  country  that  thronged  with  foes,  and 
■irhich  had  never  been  trod  by  the  footsteps  of  an 
American  soldier. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  the  advance  guard 
of  his  regiment  was  met  by  the  Mexicans  in  force, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Brazito,  where  a  l)attle  ensued, 
resulting  in  the  total  overthrow  of  the  enemy,  with 
a  loss  on  their  part  of  nearly  200  killed  and  wound- 
ed, and  on  that  of  the  Americans  of  only  7  wotmded. 
Less  than  500  Americans  in  this  engagement  de- 
feated 1,200  M«\\icans.  Continuing  his  mardi, 
Doniphan,  entered    El    Passo   without    again  en- 

*  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  December,  1846. 


■^1 


■4 


.»■ 


fr    * 


168 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


antutcrin^  a  f<K^.  It  was  here  ascertained,  that  the 
m<tv*'UU'Ui  hiu\  to  be  made  without  the  aid  of  (lene- 
ral  \\'*hA  ;  and  the  command  was  detained  until 
Vtthrtuuy,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  reiiiforce- 
utt'UtM  of  artillery  from  Santa  Fe,  when  the  force 
eouttUHf'f]  to  advance  towards  Chihuahua. 

On  thft  28th  f)f  February,  1847,  they  discovered 
a  Inris*'  force  of  Mexicans,  intrenched  behind  their 
fwttd'rid-i*  at  the  pass  of  Sacramento.  It  was  at  once 
<l«'t"rn»in*'d  to  stonn  the  Mexican  intrenchments ; 
th«?y  WfTf.  fnriously  assaulted,  and  defended  with 
et]vm\  di'^fmration.  The  ardor  of  the  Amei-icans 
yrovM  jrrfrsittible;  the  fortifications  were  scaled, 
th<'  «'i«-rriy  was  dnven  from  his  ai-tillery  with  dread- 
ful ttlaJijfhter,  and  the  victory  was  signal  and  com- 
pel'. Onr  trfX)ps  entered  the  capital  of  Chili ua- 
huii  iti  trjnmj)h,  and  sh«irtly  after  proceeded  to  join 
(»«''n#'i'al  Taylor  at  Monterey.  If  Ave  except  the 
bl^xly  vi(^f>ry  of  Molino  del  Rey,  there  was  no 
nior<r  brilliant  achievement  during  the  whole  war, 
than  tiMj  trinni[)h  at  the  battle  of  Sacramento.  The 
'Sli'XU'iiU  force's  ninounted  to  more  than  4,000,  and 
th''ir  lo^  in  killed  and  wounded  was  about  »»00 ; 
wUiUt  fh'r  entire  force  of  the  Americans  was  lesa 
than  (>00,  and  their  killed  and  wounded  did  not  ex- 
eiut\  i)  uu-n.  Tims  the  march  of  Colonel  Doniphan 
aii<l  li'w  men  for  mon*  than  1,000  miles  through  a 
hot<tJli"  ''oiintry,  was  rendered  still  mcn-e  glorious  by 
h'.«  tn(ini|>lii  in  two  battles  against  greatly  supe- 
rior llttUtU'T^. 

fi>  H*'jrfember,  1846,  (leneral  Kearny  with  a 
regtilar  force  of  about  .'500  di"ag(K)ns,  in  jjui-suauce 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


169 


of  the  instructions  from  tlie  War  Departnient, 
started  for  California.  Passing  down  the  Kio 
Grande  more  than  200  niih«,  he  prepared  to  cross 
over  to  the  river  Gila,  but  after  advancing  al)out 
180  miles,  he  was  met  by  an  express  from  Califoiiiiu 
dispatched  by  Colonel  Fremont.  Deeming  it  un- 
necessary to  take  an  additional  fierce  into  that  coun- 
tiy,  he  ordered  most  of  his  troops  tcj  return  to 
Santa  Fc,  and  continued  himself  with  ab(jut  100 
men. 

In  May,  1845,  Captain  Fremont  left  Washing- 
ton, under  ordera  from  the  War  DepartJiient,  to 
continue  his  explorations  beyond  the  Rocky  ^[oun- 
tains — a  service  pu7'«dy  of  a  scientific  character. 
Tliere  were  no  soldiers  und<>r  his  command,  and  the 
sixty-two  men  who  made  up  his  i)ai'ty  wei'e  taken 
as  a  protection  against  the  Iiidians.  His  route  lay 
through  a  portion  of  California  that  was  settled, 
and  he  was  fully  apprised  of  the  danger  of  a  rup 
ture  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States,  and 
was  resolved  to  give  no  umbrage  to  the  autliorities 
in  California.  Leaving  his  company  100  miles  fi-om 
Monterey,  he  proceeded  to  that  place  alone,  for  the 
purpose  of  ex])laining  to  Castro  the  object  of  his 
mission,  and  to  obtain  permission  to  enter  the  val- 
ley of  the  San  Joacpiin,  to  obtain  forage  for  his 
hoi-ses  and  provisions  for  the  men.  His  recpiest 
was  granted ;  but  scarcely  had  he  arrived  at  the 
place  which  he  had  selected,  before  he  received  in- 
formation that  General  Castro  was  pre]>aring  to 
overwhelm  him  Avith  a  superior  force.  For  the 
purpose  of  defending  himself  i'vom.  this  unwarran- 


■i 


1 


170 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


tal)le  attack,  he  intrenched  his  men  upon  a  nionn- 
taiu  thirty  miles  distant  from  Monterey.  Tliere  he 
remained  from  the  7tli  to  the  lOtli  of  March,  1840, 
without  l)eing  attacked  by  the  Mexicans;  and  he  at 
length  yielded  to  the  wishes  of  some  of  his  men 
discharged  them,  and  pursued  his  march  for  ()reg(jn. 
After  being  attacked  by  hostile  Indians,  who  were 
instigated  by  General  Ciistro,  he  wtm  informed  that 
Castro  himself  Avas  advancing  against  him  at  the 
head  of  more  than  400  men,  and  that  the  Ameri- 
can settlei-s  in  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento,  as  well 
as  his  own  party,  were  to  be  involved  in  the  sclunne 
of  destruction.  Driven  in  self-defence  to  repel  the 
foe — who  like  a  wolf  hung  upon  his  footsteps ;  <jn  the 
6th  of  June,  184G,  he  determined  to  overthrow  the 
Mexican  autliority  in  California.  By  rapidity  of 
movement  he  surprised  several  parties,  and  obtained 
possession  of  nine  Inuss  cannon  and  several  hundred 
stand  of  arms.  Castro  was  driven  frt)m  one  posi- 
tion to  another,  until  he  reached  Cuidad  de  Jam  An- 
geles. Colonel  Fremont  having  foi-med  a  junction 
with  Commodore  Stockton,  their  united  forces,  on 
the  12th  of  August,  1840,  entered  the  city  of  the 
Angels,  the  Governor  General  Pico,  and  tin;  rest  <jf 
the  Mexican  authorities,  having  fled.  Connnodore 
Stockton  took  possession  of  the  whole  country,  and 
ajtpointed  Colonel  Fremont  Governor.  In  the  short 
space  of  sixty  days  the  conquest  of  a  country  was 
achieved,  which  has  more  recently  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  civilized  world. 

Tlie  operations  thus  far  had  failed  to  prochico 
the  desired  result  of  forcing  Mexico  to  conclude  a 


POLK     ADMINI8TKATI0N. 


171 


peace.  Far  gieuter  obstinacy  was  manifested  hy 
the  Alexieuiis  tlian  was  anticii»uted  l)y  tliose  j)ei's<)ns 
who  (lid  not  unchTstand  the  charueteiistics  of  tlie 
Sj)ani.«<h  race.  The  victoi'ien  uj)<)n  tlie  lliu  (Jrando 
and  tlie  capture  of  Monterey  did  not  j)rodiice  a 
termination  of  the  war,  and  the  necessity  of  carry- 
inj^  out  the  coni])rehenHive  j)lan  laid  down  by  the 
War  Department  became  now  perfectly  ai»par«'ut. 
For  the  purpose  of  conciliating  the  Mexican  inhabit- 
ants, the  burdens  of  the  contest  which  are  ordina- 
rily borne  by  the  citizens  of  an  invaded  country, 
had  been  withheld.  The  juivate  property  which 
was  ai)j)roi)riated  for  the  use  of  the  army  wjis  j)aid 
for  at  a  fair  price.  This  was  far  from  having  the 
effect  of  lendei'ing  them  clamorous  for  ])eace;  on 
the  contrary,  protected  as  they  were  from  exactions 
by  their  own  authorities,  and  furnished  with  a  })ro- 
iitable  market  for  their  pi'oduce,  it  was  highly  favor- 
able to  their  interests  that  the  war  should  ])e  con- 
tinued. An  army  of  invasion  j)osscss(!s  the  un- 
doubted right  of  not  only  drawing  its  supjjlies  from 
the  enemy  without  paying  for  them,  but  to  exact 
contributions  for  its  sui)poi't.  This  is  often  a  very 
effective  way  of  bringing  i)ublic  opinion  to  bear 
upon  the  subject.  The  departure  from  this  i-ule 
was  made  as  a  matter  of  ])olicy,  to  avoid  arousing 
the  Mexican  nation  i^/i  inaj^se  against  us.  Instruc- 
tions Avei'e  issued  from  the  War  Department  to 
General  Taylor,  to  re(pure  contributions  to  be  made 
of  su|)plies  for  the  army  without  paying  for  them, 
if  he  was  satisfied  that  his  army  could  be  subsisted 


172 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


ill  timt  way.*  A  It'tttT  was  addressed  l»y  the  War 
Department  to  (leiienil  Taylor,  Sei>teiiilter  2'2d, 
l.s4(i,  iiif'orining  him  tliat  it  wa.s  eoiitemplateil  to 
make  a  movement  in  tlie  direction  of  Tainpico,  Ittit 
he  wa.s  a<lvised  that  it  wjus  not  desiujned  to  witli- 
draw  any  of  the  foree  then  witli  him,  noi'  to  divert 
any  of  the  reinforeeinent.s  wliieli  miglit  Ix'  neees- 
Hary  to  enable  him  t<»  advancf!  beyond  Monterey. 
lie  was  told  that  conmiunieations  Avonld  l)e  made 
immediately  from  the  War  Department  to  (ien«3- 
ral  Patterson,  because  the  time  it  would  take  to 
receive  uifonnation  from  him  and  to  send  the  reply 
fr*)m  the  War  Department,  niiirht  l»e  the  very  nuv 
uient  for  strikinj^  an  eti'ective  l>low.  This  com- 
munication called  forth  a  protest,  prompt  and  ex- 
l)licit,  from  (Jeneral  Taylor.f  He  insisted  that 
while  he  was  at  the  head  of  the  army  in  Mexico, 
he  wouhl  l)e  held  res])onsi])le  for  its  o])ei'ations,  and 
therefore  "laimed  th(f  right  of  orpmi/ing  all  de- 
tachments from  it,  and  of  controlling  the  time  and 
manner  of  their  service.  In  the  dispatch  of  (leu- 
eral  Taylor  of  October  l.'ith,  1.S4(),  he  rejjorted  at 
considei-able  length  his  views  with  regard  to  an 
onward  movement  in  the  direction  of  Sais  Luis 
Potosi.  It  was  liis  ojnnion  that  to  insurer  success 
in  the  advance  upon  that  city  it  would  retpiire  an 
army  L>(>,0(M)  strong,  10,0(10  of  which  should  be 
regular  troops,  and  that  besides  this  force,  5,000 


♦  Letter  of  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Taylor,  September  22d, 
1816. 

+  Dispatch  of  General  Taylor  to  the  War  Department,  October  I6th, 
ISJfi. 


POLK     ADMINIbTKATION, 


178 


men  would  lie  riMjuinul  to  keep  possession  of  tlio 
couiitiy  already  under  our  control.*  In  the  same 
contniunieation  he  expressed  liinisttU',  in  view  of  the 
diiliculties  und  expense  of  u  movement  into  the 
heait  (tf  Mexico,  favonihle  to  the  occupation  of  a 
defensive  line.f     That  line  \va«  the  Sierra  Madre, 

*  "  III  view  of  the  alxivn  factn,  I  hnzard  nothing  in  onyin^  that  a 
cohimii  to  move  on  Nun  LuiH  from  Haltilln,  nhoiiid,  to  inKiirn  hiicccsh,  Im 
at  ienut  :!0,000  stron({,  of  wliich  10,000  nhould  bo  rejjnlnr  trnopH.  After 
much  redcrtioii,  I  connidi-r  the  uhove  a»  tlie  Hmailcitt  number  of  i-fficiirf 
tnio|)8  that  could  be  employed  on  thin  Hervicc  without  incurriu);  the  hazard 
of  'JiHUdter  and  |icrlmpH  defeat.  There  would  be  rcciuire*!,  IwHidex,  to 
kc>.'p  open  our  long  line,  protect  Iho  d('p(>ti),  and  secure  the  country 
already  {.mined,  a  force  of  6,000  men ;  thiH,  without  including  the  force 
necesHary  to  send  to  Tampico,  to  take  or  hold  that  place. 

"  Ami  now  I  come  to  the  point  prexcnted  in  the  Hecretary'8  letter.  A 
simullaiieous  movement  on  Han  LuiH  and  Tampico  in  there  ciiggested ; 
but  it  will  readily  be  Rccn  that  witli  only  one-half  the  force  which  I  con- 
sider neccHHary  to  march  on  one  point,  it  is  quite  impoKsiblt!  to  march  on 
both ;  and  that  nothing  short  of  an  effective  force  of  26,000  to  30,000 
men  would,  on  military  principlcH,  justify  the  double  inavemcnt.  And  it 
is  to  lie  remarked  that  the  possession  of  Tampico  is  indisiiensable  in  caso 
we  advance  to  San  Luis,  for  the  line  hence  to  the  latter  place  is  entirely 
too  long  to  lie  maintained  permanently,  and  must  be  abandoned  for  the 
shorter  one  from  Tampico  the  moment  San  Luis  is  taken. 

"  I  have  spoken  only  of  the  numlier  of  troops  deemed  necessary  for  ^]l.• 
prosecution  of  the  campaign  lieyond  Hultillo.  It  will  lie  uiiderKto<xl  that 
largely  inrreased  means  and  material  of  every  kind  will  be  e<|ually  ne- 
ccs.sary  to  render  the  army  efPcient ;  such  as  cavalry  and  artillery  hoi<es, 
means  of  transport,  ordnance  stores,  &c." 

f  "  It  may  be  ex|)ected  that  I  should  give  my  views  as  to  the  policy 
of  occupying  -i  defensive  line,  to  which  I  have  aliovo  allude<l.  I  um  free 
to  confers  thnt.  in  view  of  the  ditliculties  and  expense  attending  a  move- 
ment into  the  heart  of  the  country,  and  particularly  in  view  of  the  un- 
settled and  revolutionary  character  of  the  Mexican  (lovernment,  the  occu- 
pation of  such  a  line  seems  to  me  the  best  course  that  can  be  adopted. 
The  line  taken  might  either  be  that  (m  which  we  propose  to  insist  as  the 
boundary  lietween  the  republics — say  the  Rio  Grande,  or  the  line  to  which 
we  have  advanced,  viz.,  the  Sierra  Madre,  incl'iding  Chiliiiahiia  and  Santa 
Fe.     The  former  line  could  be  held  with  a  much  smaller  force  tlian  the  lat- 

JASPKli  I.IHRAKY, 

Oi'^aii'!  MaicJi  1.1J{.>4, 

Iiist«]i   Aiir.  :5v  '  in,"  7. 


174 


IIISTOUY     OF     THE 


including  Cliihualma  and  Santa  Fe,  or  the  Rio 
(Jiandc.  Tlu'  opinion,  then,  <>\'  (Icneral  Taylor  wiw 
distinctly  exincsscd,  tliat  an  advance  beyond  the 
Sierra  Madrt'  was  impolitic. 

To  euahlc  Gt-nei'al  Taylor  to  dispense  with  the 
corps  under  (teneral  Worth,  it  was  intimated  io 
him  that  it  wouid  1m  better  to  order  (Jeneral  Wool 
to  join  him,  if  it  was  not  contemplated  to  hc^ll 
possession  of  Coahuila  or  ('hihuahua*  That  com- 
mander himself  admitted,  that  nothii'jr  would  be 
gained  by  an  advance  upon  Chiliuahua  by  (leneral 
Wool's  column,  at  all  coinmen  urate  with  the  exces- 
sive length  of  \\.>  line  of  <^peration^.f     There  wei'e 

tor ;  but  oven  the  line  o!'  the  Sierra  Mudre  could  Iw  held  «'ith  a  force  prcntly 
less  tliiin  would  be  required  for  on  active  campion.  AJontcrey  contruls 
the  great  outie'  from  the  interior.  A  stron;;  (jarriKon  at  tiiis  puliit,  with 
an  advance  nt  Siiltillo  and  small  corps  at  Monclova,  I/nares,  Victoria  and 
Tampico,  would  efToctuaily  cover  the  line." — Lrller  of  General  Taylor  Io 
the  Si-cri'larij  of  War,  Oclnber  Iblh,  18Ki. 

*  '  itis  not  doubted  that  General  Wind  will  be  able  to  capture  rhilnia- 
hua ;  but  if  the  population  should  Ik*  disposed,  as  it  is  apprehended  they 
will  l)e,  to  obstruct  his  movements  and  withhold  supplies,  it  is  doubtful 
whether  he  has  a  sufficient  force  to  sustain  himself  long  in  ihnf  position. 
Should  the  contemplated  military  and  naval  opemtions  on  the  (lulf  coast  he 
put  in  execution,  troops  to  reinforce  him,  in  case  his  condition  ro'iMircd 
it,  cannot  wel!  be  spared.  Under  a  full  view  of  all  the  circumstances,  it  is 
supiiested  whether  it  would  nut  be  I)est  to  have  liis  forco  united  with  yours 
at  Monterey,  or  on  the  Rio  Grande." — Ijeti.  r  of  Mr.  Marry  in  General 
Taylor,  OrUtber  22rf,  18J8. 

t  "  Brjiradier  General  Wool,  with  a  portion  of  hia  force,  arrived  at 
Monclova  on  the  'J9tli  of  October,  and  in  now  joined  by  the  rear  division. 
He  reports  no  practicable  route  to  Chihuahua  except  the  one  by  Parras, 
which  will  bring  within  a  few  lenirues  of  Saltillo.  He  inquires,  what  is 
to  be  gained  by  going  to  rhihuahua  ?  And  1  am  free  to  answer,  nothing 
at  all  commensurate  v.itii  the  excef^.^ivo  length  of  his  line  if  oppiations. 
Chihuahua,  moreover,  is  virually  crmcuered,  and  can  \)o  occupied  rit  any 
monent  while  we  liold  Saltill  ^  and  Santo  Fe." — Ijeller  (/  General  Taylor 
to  Mr.  Marcy,  November  9th,  lSi6. 


»• 


POLK     ADJriNISTUATION, 


'^o  reasons  then,  why  General  W<x>l  hh<*uJ<i  jj<4  Ii*: 
onh-red  to  join  hLs  coluniii  with  that  tji  ii'-itt^tni 
7aylor. 

'Vhr  (h-siij^n  of  makinjTf  a  (h'scent  uj"*Ji  Vwiitima 
and  Tanipiro  had  not  lieeii  al)ando!ied.  'k'h*'*yAnum 
destined  tor  this  expedition  I'eached  \"u-i*tnti  '/a  thf 
2.'{d  of  January,  ls47,  Imt  liefore  its  an-ivaj  a  uava] 
force,  nnder  the  coininand  of  (.'<jH]uio<]</r4-  Vttry, 
had  taken  possesKion  of  Tanipico.  The  tU'itit-tit  (4 
the  tlc't  npoii  thi-  place  was  made  for  th'-  ^mr\itmf; 
of  ni  iskiny  the  movement  upon  Veiu  Ouz,  Inltb^ 
mean  time,  (reneral  Wool  wa«  statiofjt-d  at  VamiA 
with  •J,4U0  men,  and  (ieneral  Worth  with  hi*  t'trtth 
mand  of  1,2(M>  men  wtw  advaueed  to  HaJtjJj<^  ^Kil^ 
the  headtjuarters  of  (renei-al  Butler  wen-  al  i^ysntcr- 
rey.*  (ieneral  Taylor  }iini>elf  left  MoMt^^rey  *m  tfw^ 
Ifith  of  I)eeend)er,  for  the  j)ur)x>se  of  i'uitu'iu^  a 
junction  with  General  Pattei'H<»n  at  Vict<>jiau  Hi* 
course  was,  however,  arrested  liefore  y^'\u■^Mr^  sfnat 
])lace,  by  a  dis])atch  from  General  Woi-th,<'/>i]iv«'yiri{( 
the  information  that  Santa  Ajuia  was  al><*ut  U*»';m\ 
himself  of  the  diversion  in  the  dii'ection  of  Xu'it*- 
ria,  for  tlie  purpose  of  makine;  a  desci'iit  u\>nti  thfr 
advanced  posts  of  the  army.  Taylor  retur«(<-v|  » Jfb 
the  re^mlar  troops  under  his  command  i.*»  JAtmU-tt'y. 
General  Worth  was  promptly  reinfoi'ced  ux  iU*'  A'y 
\nsion  inider  the  command  of  (ieiiejal  \\'tHA,»w\ 
l)y  the  dis]iosal)le  force  at  Mont<rey  under  i'ntu-rt^ 
Butler.  General  Taylor  himself  was  ad \ai*<'i(iiy  t(i 
Saltillo,  Avhen  he  was  informed  that  tlje  htUftw^-iS 

"  Report  nf  Genernl  Taylor  to  the  War  Departinetrt.  I>«(WH^ii»if  ^h, 
1846. 


as 


'Ji 


176 


HI  ST  OKI'     <»K     TUB 


posts  ot'  the  Mexicans  liuil  Ix'cii  witlulniwn,  lie 
tlit'ii  i'oiitiiiu('<l  in  the  (lircction  of  Victoria,  where 
he  aiiivid  oil  the  4tli  of  January,  lH47,an<l  awaitcii 
fuithci'  coniniunicatioiis  tVoiii  (M-ncral  Sf«»tt.  The 
troops  of  the  I'liitcd  Stat<-  now  ht-M  j»ossession  of 
the  coiintry  tliis  side  of  tlu-  Sii-nu  Mailn^  i  xtcnd- 
iiiiT  from  Tanipic'o  to  Saltiilo  and  Santa  F« ;  Htill 
]\l('xii'o  refused  t<»  aceedc  to  terin.s.  It  waw  there- 
foic  ifsolved  to  make  a  descent  upon  V^era  Cruz, 
and  to  strike  at  tlie  heart  of  the  Mi-xiean  tei-ritory, 
Whih'  tlie  line  of  the  Sierra  Mudre  was  to  he  re- 
tained, and  tlie  advancf  of  our  tnxtjw  in  the  direc- 
tion of  San  Luis  was  to  1m;  left  for  tuture  determi- 
nation, a  lai'j^e  force  uudei-  the  iiiiniediate  coniniand 
of  (Jeneral  S('<)tt  was  prcrparinj.'  to  attack  th»^  castle 
of  San  Juan  de  I'lloa.  As  early  as  Sij)teml)er, 
l.s4('),  the  attention  of  the  (Jovtrninent  was  directed 
to  that  (piarter,  and  on  the  2.'*>d  of  November  there- 
after, (u-neral  Scott  received  instructions  from  the 
War  Department  to  place  himself  at  the  head  of 
the  invading  forces.  This  was  done  without  the 
least  injustice  to  General  Taylor,  who  had  a<!vanced 
into  the  enemy's  c<»untry  as  far  an  he  thought  advi- 
sable, and  was  very  jiropcrly  left  to  defend  what 
had  lu  en  so  gallantly  ac(|uired  ;  while  the  command 
of  the  other  column  was  very  appropriately  assigned 
to  the  Coniniander-in-chief  of  the  army. 

That  the  very  kindest  feelings  were  entei-tained. 
l)y  General  Scott  towards  (ieneral  Taylor,  there 
can  be  no  doubt*     And  that  there  was  a  discre- 


*  "  I  shall  much  repTf  t  not  having  m  early  opportunity  of  (rlicitnthic; 
you  in  person  upon  your  iiuiiiy  hrillinni.  achievements  ;  but  we  may  niecl 


POLK     A  »  .M  I  X  I  8  T  K  A  TI  O  N  . 


177 


tionary  power  left  to  (icncnil  Taylor  as  to  tlie  nuin- 
Ix'r  ot"  troops  he  wouhl  nulli'r  to  be  witlidrawu  from 
Ills  line  of  operations,  is  j  erfeetly  un<U'iiial>k'.* 

■omowliorp  ill  the  iiilorior  of  .Mfxico.  I  am  not  cumin);,  my  <leur  (jpiii'ml, 
(o  Kii|H<r<i>(l('  yiiii  ill  till*  iiiiiiinliato  comnmiid  nil  the  line  of  opfratimii) 
rciidcn!!  i"  inns  liy  you  iiiiii  your  );alliiiit  iiriiiy.  My  proposoil  liiwiire 
is  (litViTciit.  !  my  dear  (i'Micral.  I  (■liall  Iw  obliged  to  lake  from  you 
moMtof  till' ({al  ant  otficcrs  ami  iiioii  (regiilurs  and  voluiitoers),  wlioin  you 
have  go  lon^  and  no  nobly  ('(Miimandcfi.  I  am  afraid  tlial  I  xlmil,  by  im|>e- 
rioiiH  nicfssity — till'  ajiproaili  of  tlie  yellow  fever  on  the  (iiill  coast — re- 
duce you.  for  a  time,  to  Ktiind  mi  the  defensive.  This  will  lie  inliiiitely 
painful  to  yon,  and  for  that  reason  dislressini;  to  me.  Hut  I  rely  upon 
your  |>uiri:iiism  to  Miibmit  to  the  temporary  sarrilicc  witli  chccrfulne^.s.  No 
man  can  l)etter  utlonl  to  do  ho.  Recent  victories  place  you  on  that  high 
eminence,  and  i  even  Mailer  invMelf  th.it  any  benefit  that  may  result  to 
mo  personally  from  the  niie<|iial  division  of  troops  alluded  to,  will  lessen 
tiie  |>ain  of  your  consc(|uent  inactivity.'" — Letlfr  uf  Orncral  Scoll  to  Gene- 
ral Tiiijin-.  (Iiileil  III  Siw-Yiirk,  Smimlirr  'IMi,  1816. 

♦  "In  l(Hikin|r  at  the  present  disposition  of  the  troops, it  appi'ars t.i  lie 
scarcely  possible  to  get  the  reipiisite  nmnlier  of  regulars  without  drawing 
srinio  of  tho.se  now  with  you  at  .Monterey,  or  on  the  way  to  that  place. 
Should  you  decide  against  holding  military  [lo-isessionof  any  place  in  ('oa- 
huilaor  ("bihiuihua,  and  order  the  troops  under  (leneral  Wool  to  join  you, 
it  is  presumed  that  the  recpiisite  force  for  the  expedition  lo  Vern  ("rftz 
could  lie  detaclie<l  without  interfering  with  your  plans  of  (i))erali(m.  Whilst 
the  (iovernmeiil  is  anxious  that  nothing  should  occur  to  preveMt  the  ex|ic- 
dition  to  Vera  Cruz,  regarding  it  of  greni  importance,  yet  if  liy  willidraw- 
ing  from  your  immediate  commaiul  the  force  neces.sary  fortius  purpose  llio 
army  willi  you  may  be  placed  in  danger,  this  ex|iedition  must  lor  the  pre- 
sent be  either  deferred  or  abandimed — a  result  ileeply  lo  Ix;  regretted.  <  )n 
the  spot,  you  will  know  the  slreiiglh  of  the  forci?  advancing  against  you, 
and  the  iiuiiilier  of  troops  necessary  lo  resist  it ;  you  will  by  no  means 
weaken  yourself  so  as  to  expose  the  army  under  your  command  to  the 
probable  hazard  of  disaster.  It  is  desirable  to  avoid  delay  ;  you  will,  there- 
fore, unless  it  materially  interferes  with  your  own  plan  of  operations,  or 
weakens  you  too  much  in  your  present  posii  jii,  make  the  neces.sary  ar- 
rangements for  having  four  thou.sand  men  (of  whom  fifteen  hnndred  or 
two  thimsaiid  should  be  regular  troops),  readv  to  embark  for  Vera  ( 'ruz, 
orsiu'h  other  destination  as  may  lie  given  them, at  the  earliest  practicablo 
period.  The  place  of  embarkation  will  probably  be  the  Uraros  Santiago, 
or  in  that  vicinity." — Lcltcr  of  tite  Svcnlary  of  War  to  Gaieral  Taylor, 


r 


^ 


C>i.iaii'«  March  loia54, 

Inst"!    X^.\\  llnA  f-:)^r. 


178 


IIISTOHY     OF     THE 


Diirini,' the  fii-st  session  oftlic  2'Jth  Congress,  the 
I'icsidciit  ivcdiiinieinlfd  to  Congress  to  make  an  ap- 
propriatioii  of  money  to  he  phieed  uuch-r  the  con- 
trol of  the  Executive,  to  )>(•  used,  if  necessary,  in 
couiludiMg  a  treaty  of  ^icace  with  Mexico.  There 
was  a  [ii'ecedent  for  tliis  application.  On  the  'Jdtii 
of  Fehruar}',  18ti;{,  two  millions  of  dollars  waa 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  IVesideut  Jelferson,  for  the 
pui'j)ose  of  eiml)ling  him  to  actpiire  Ijouisiana  from 
France,  and  the  same  amount  was  api»ropriated  in 
iSOCi,  to  eiudjle  liim  to  ac(piire  the  Floiidas  from 
Spain.  'J'lio  ai)proj»riation  desired  by  JNIi'.  l*olk 
was  not  made  until  tin;  second  sessi(m  of  the  :*',>th 
Congress,  when  the  object  of  the  luw  wjw  distinctly 
specified.* 

Scarcely  l»ad  Coiigres«<  convened,  in  Decendier, 
184(i.  Ix'fore  the  c.mduct  of  (ieiieral  Kearny,  in  es- 
tablishing a  civil  government  in  New  Mexico,  was 
n/adc  the  subject  of  animated  discussion.  It  was 
vehemently  asseiled  that  Mr.  Polk  had  been  guilty 
of  a  lawless  assmnj>tion  of  ]»ower  not  delegated  by 
the  Constitution  ;  and  the  gallant  ofliceis  he  liad 
sent  to  coiKpier  \ew  Mexico  and  California,  were 
denounced  as  his  ''satraps  and  tetrarchs."f    On  the 

Ocliihir  1!2(/,  1 810.  Flxcrutive  Documents,  "id  session  29lli  Congress. 
Volunio  t.     Doo.  No.  119,  p.  86. 

*  "Tooiialilo  tlie  I'residont  to  concliulc  a  treaty  of  peace,  limits  and 
boundnrlcs.  with  the  Rcpnl)lic  of  Me.xico.  to  he  used  hv  liim  in  tiic  I'vciit 
that  said  treaty.  whi'U  siiincil  by  the  aiiliiorized  agents  of  liie  two  (lovorii- 
ments,  and  (Inly  ratified  hy  Mexico,  shall  cell  for  the  e.xpendituro  of  the 
same,  or  any  part  thereof" — Acl  of  1817. 

t  "He  (Mr.  0.)  hati  not  proposed  to  inquire  of  the  President  as  to  the 
manner  in  which  lie  had  c(iiidncteil,()r  prniM)sed  to  conduct  the  operations 
of  the  war;  because  he  was  too  well  acquainted  with  iiis  own  position  and 


POLK     ADIIINISTKATION. 


179 


1 '*tli  <4*  I>«-«-«?rnI»er  a  n-solntion  pas-seil  the  House  of 
Ki'ltn-w-iitativi-s,  rHjiu-stiiij,'  the  President  to  eoiii- 
iiiuiiieat*;  to  that  Itody,  all  orcU'iN  and  instruetioiis 
which  he  had  ipveii  to  the  eoiiiniandei-s  of  the  ai  .ly 
and  navy  roiieernint^  tlic  cstaMislmu'nt  of  civil  gov- 
ennu«-nt  in  any  jM»rtion  of  tlie  tenitoiy  of  Mexico.* 
It  was  ex|>»'ct«'d  Wy  tlie  i>|)))ositiou  iiieniltei-s  of  Con- 
grew*,  that  h«'  had  transcemled    bis   constitutional 


duty  If*  imtjibercf  ConifrevH.  iirid  that  nf  the  I'residriit.  But  when  he 
Mw  foft-ign  oiurtrtu^  «>ctu[>jed  hy  our  army  mid  iiiivy  ;  when  ho  heiird 
offic<"r»  '>{  <>i>Ti'n>\cn\mt'j\l  (iripi'l.iiiiiiii^rlhi'iiisclvcs  governors  of  |irovitiri'-i, 
tppoiiilinir  f»aUiHinat«  offir.T'',  fixinjr  llicir  sahirien  luid  the  duration  of 
their  'ifTicri*— <r-»*iWi«hin!.'.  in  a  woril,  the  wlioh'  iiuirhine  of  civil  tjovcrii- 
mciit.  Itt- iexiiMttiied  <»f  th*-  I'n-^idciit  his  authority,  for  |M'riuitti;ii;  aud  saiu;- 
tjoiiing  fiich  a  coiirw?  of  profoediiij^s.  VV'liat !  was  our  Aiuericaii  I'rosU 
dent  an  empemr.  fomilntr  forth  his  .\i:ri|i|)a  and  his  iMarcolhis,  liis  pro- 
cuntuU,  to  e»labSi#h  aifl  to  Govern  the  provincns  thny  inii^ht  coni|urr  hy 
fon:*  (if  ana«  ?  Was  tfw  ''-esident  of  the  I'niti'd  States,  an  oIUcit  deriv- 
ing hii>  breath  and  ^K-inrr  from  the  ("onstitulioii  of  the  United  State-,  to 
auttxirizA  Jiin  i«trap«  and  his  fetrarrhs  to  u-t  up  fiovernineiils  iit  their  plea- 
Biiri'.  aiid  presthf*;  to  them  laws  and  regulations  at  their  disrrelion  ?  If 
iie  couid.  )ir.  D.  want»-d  to  know  under  whal  ^'raiit  of  tiic  (,'onstitutioii  he 
exerci*^  ifuch  a  pow'T  ?  Tin'  President,  he  admitted,  was  made  liy  the 
Conftitation  crirnf.nndei  In-ehiff  of  the  arrny  and  navy  of  the  I'niled 
Stal^»,  and  hf  cmiUl  do.  in  time  of  war,  whatever  pertained  to  that  author- 
ity. He  c'»«M d»»  nothing',  however,  in  relation  to  the  conduct  of  tither 
annv  or  naty.  hot  wliat  (jrew  out  of,  and  was  iniuiedialely  coinierted  with, 
that  aiith'jnty.  But  for  the  express  irrant  of  the  ("onstitiitioii.  lie  could 
do  nothinj;  in  ondrirfing  the  war  at  all.  The  whole  duty  would,  in  that 
cue.  dM'iJ»«  npon  Concress,  and  such  apents  as  Congress  might  be 
plea*od  "<  appoint.  The  l'r»»»ident  conid  discharge  no  function  In  rela- 
tion to  the  w»r.  bnt  *arh  as  rr«tded  in  him  as  Cnuiniander  in-chief  of  the 
anriv  and  n»vT  of  the  ruontry.  As  President,  lie  could  leniliiiialely  take 
no  jmit  in  a  war  of  ctwq'w^^t — none  wli;itever — none,  none.  'I'lien  Mr.  D. 
Wiiiii  it  to  fawv  from  the  President,  and  from  his  partisano,  by  what  im- 
pnia)  rr  r«v*i  •■thority  his  mnjosty  undertook  to  act  in  the  premises  re- 
{ptrM  lo  in  the  r««otiiti«in  of  inqiiin.-  " — Siwirh  nf  Itarret  Daiis,  Kcnlucky, 
//.  '/  R.  I'    S.,  n'r>nmhrr  V>.  184fi. 

*  C'oagrE»«ionjd  Globe,  2d  session  29tli  Congresa. 


^1 


Ml 


180 


II  I  S  T  »J  «  Y     O  V     T  II  K 


j)()\vers,  in  i;ivin^  onlcis  to  tlu;  coiimiHiidci'iiof  the 
iiriiiy,  and  uixiii  the  strt'n<,'th  of  that  assuiiij)ti()U, 
before  the  resohition  of  imjuiry  was  j>asse(l,  he  was 
freely  eliaracterized  1)y  all  those  a])])ellatioiis  whieh 
do  not  indu'at(^  an  honest  man.  lint  in  this  in- 
stanee,  as  well  as  in  many  others,  they  entirely  mis- 
conceived the  character  of  the  Executive,  audit  wjis 
ft  longtime  before  they  could  be  convinced  that  he 
was  a  peifect  master  of  the  jxtwers  which  apj)er- 
taiiu'd  to  his  otKce,  and  that  he  would  feai'lessly  dis- 
chari^e  them,  rei^ardli'ss  of  the  conscMjuences.  On 
the  '2-2i\  of  Decendxa-,  is  tC,  Mr.  Polk  transmitted  to 
the  House  of  Kepresentatives  all  the  orders  or  in- 
structions which  had  l»een  issued  to  oui'  otlicers  with 
retrard  to  the  estaMishmenl  of  civil  <fovernments.  In 
that  communication  he  stated  that  the  regulations 
authoi'izcil  were  temporary,  and  de])endent  on  the 
rii^hts  ac<juired  by  coiupiest,  and  were  but  the  ame- 
liorations of  martial  law. 

Among  the  documents  which  the  Presidi'M^ 
transmitted  with  that  message  to  the  House,  w.xs 
the  form  of  government  established  and  organized 
by  General  Kearny,  at  Santa  Fe,  which  wa.-;  not 
})rought  to  the  notice  of  tlie  President  imtil  after 
his  annual  nussage  of  the  Sth  of  Decendiei',  1S4().* 
The  govfi'ument  organized  and  estahlished  l)>  (re- 
neral  Kearny  never  did  receive  the  sanction  ot  the 
Executive.  That  organic  law  is  a  very  cui'iou.s 
compilation.  It  oecujiies  forty-six  pages  in  the  llve- 
cutive  documents,  and  is  assuredly  a  i-are  proiluc- 

*  Letter  of  tlie  Secretary  ol  War  to  the  President,  Uoceuibcr  21, 
1846. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


181 


ti<)n  ;  and  no  oik;  ••iiu  jx-niso  it,  who  is  aware  that 
hiws  (»t"  tliat  kind  can  oidy  Ix'  jtasscd  l>y  Conu'i'css, 
without  I«'in<;  amused  at  tlie  naivete  with  which 
this  modern  Solon  cdnipiled  a  constitution  and  laws 
for  New  Mexico;  and  it  is  difficult  to  V)t'lieve  that 
tlie  whole  att'air  wjls  not  a  broad  joke.* 


*  ()R(;anic  law  of  the  tkrritory  of  new  Mexico. 

Tlio  (lovfrnriipiit  of  the  IJnitpd  States  of  Amorirnn  ordains  iumI  estnb- 
lislifs  tilt'  following  Orjjaiiic  l,iiw,  for  tlie  territory  of  New  Mexico,  which 
has  become  a  territory  of  the  said  Government. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Skc.  1.  The  country  heretofore  known  as  New  Mexico,  shall  be 
known  hcrenfter,  and  dosijiiKitcd  as  the  territory  of  New  Slexico,  in  the 
United  States  of  Ainerira.  and  the  temporary  {jovernment  of  the  said 
territory  shall  bo  organized  and  administered  in  the  maimer  herein  pre- 
scriljed. 

artk:le  11. 

EXKi  UTIVE    I'OWER. 

Sep.  1.  The  Rxecnfive  power  shall  lie  vested  in  a  (Jovernor,  who 
shall  reside  in  the  said  territory,  and  hold  his  otfire  for  two  years,  unless 
sooner  removed  by  the  I'resident  of  the  (Iiiiled  SlMos. 

artu'lr  hi, 

LEOISLATIVE    POWRR. 

Sec.  1.  The  Ijeprislative  power  -hall  Ix'  \estedin  a  General  Assembly, 
which  shall  consist  of  the  legislative  ^'ouncil  and  a  House  of  Representa- 
tive?. 

HF.r.  8.  All  frco  male  rifi/.ens  of  the  territory  of  New  Mexieo,  who 
fjiefi  iirr.  and  for  three  irioiiths  next  precedintt  'he  electior.  shall  have 
been  rc,-id  ill.-  of  the  coniity  or  district  in  which  they  stmll  ,(fer  to  vote, 
shall  hi>  entitled  to  vote  for  a  delegate  to  the  Congress  of  the  I'nited 
StAtes,  and  for  inomhors  of  tlie  General  AssRinhly,  and  for  all  other 
officers  elected  by  the  people. 

ARTICLE  IV, 

ji'iiicui.  rmvEH. 
Sec.  1.  The  Judicial  power  shall   he  vested   in   a  Superior  Court; 
aiid  inferior  tribunals  to  he  e.ctiihli.slied  hv  law. 


^i*p 


182 


IIIrtT(JKY     OF     TirK 


Thfr  conr^c.  ihiixikmI  l»y  tlu'  President  ami  liw 
nuit^ft'llfmifH  in  New  Mexico,  and  Califninia,  jne- 
wiit4  ***tuif  jHiintrt  of  the  Lfravest  consideration.  The 
|xm-«'r4  tirirl  duties  of  Itelligereiits  wliould  l»e  well 
<l<'(i»M'd.  While  it  is  admitted  that  a  con(|nei"e<l 
\tt''Ht\c  should  not  l)e  sultjected  t(»  the  despotic  will 
of  th«' *'oii(|tieror,  re<,''ar<lU'ss  of  the  jnoi'al  olpliifatinns 
of  lifurmiiity ;  still  it  is  undenial»le,  that  they  arc 
«horn  '/f  those  ri<^hts  which  they  ])ossessed  liefore 
t\wy  rnme  nnder  his  j)ower.  Mr.  Polk  laid  <lown 
thf  (('j^-tfine  (om'ctly,  when  he  stated,  that  ]>\  the 
law  of  nations,  a  con(|uered  territory  is  sulijeet  to 
Ix-  (rov^nied  }>y  the  conqueror  wliile  he  holds  mili- 
tary ji^'^^W'^^sion.  The  government  which  ])revious- 
ly  f'xUu-f],  heinj?  su|)erse(h'd,  it  is  not  oidy  tlie  I'it'ht 
but  the  duty  of  the  con(|uei'or  to  maintain  civil 
onliT,  which  will  at  the  same  time  preserve  his  con- 
qu<t«t*  If  it  wtuH  necessary,  to])roserve  possession 
tff  the  <ronfjuered  territory,  that  the  harsh  and  striu- 
^I'tif  mies  of  niai-tial  law  should  lie  enforce(|,  then 
that  ('A^n^n<^  would  ]»e  justifial)le.     This  may  he  done 


0mm  intitfi  CSovprnmcnt  House,  in  the  city  of  Snntn  Fi\  in  the  territory 
(4  Stm  Mexir.f),  hy  Urigadicr  (Jenprnl  Steplien  VV.  Kenrny,  hy  virtue 
tA  tjlcr  fifwf-r  find  aiitliority  coiircrrod  upon  liiiii  liy  tlic  (ioveninient  of 
ttifl  I'mtcd  Htaten,  this  twenty-second  day  of  Sppfeinlier.  18  iti. 

S.  \V.  KKARNY, 
Briorndior  (leneral  U.  H.  A 

I  hurt!  nt)]j  copied  a  smnll  portion  of  the  Organic  I.aw.  Tlie  power 
«f  fJ^r  Kxcriitive,  the  [leijislntiiro,  and  tlie  Judiciary,  were  delincd  at  (.^reat 
Ufitiflh,  tiftd  ihi-ir  salaries  specified.  Tlic  time  of  elertinj;  llie  (l('li'}:at(' tr) 
I'tmsfTfr**  wi!>  alf")  ^peritii'd.  Then  followed  an  elaborate  hill  of  nuhts, 
'Hit!  pf^fJncfion  ran  be  found  in  vol.  3  of  Executive  I)oc\unenls,  2d  gen- 
mmt  Wlh  rVmjfresH.     Doc.  10.  I'ajie  27. —  The  Aulhirr. 

♦  y\frmi<tc.  of  ['rcsidont  Polk,  December  8th,  1816. 


I'OLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


183 


for  the  l)cnefit  of  the  conqueror.  liut  if  this  course 
is  not  necessary,  rules  ><houl(l  l)e  estublLsheil  to  })re- 
vent  civil  discord  and  violence.  This  jMdicy  is  de- 
munded  by  the  innnutalile  principles  of  justice  to 
the  concjuered  j)eople.  The  <iuestion  j)resents  itself 
in  two  points  of  view  :  the  first  is  external,  a  ([ues- 
tion  under  the  rules  of  international  law,  between 
us  and  Mexico.  The  other  is  a  domestic  question, 
under  the  Constitution  of  the  United  State,  between 
the  co-ordinate  branches  of  the  (Jovernnient.  The 
former  1  have  briefly  considered.  The  latter  in- 
volves far  more  weighty  conslilerations ;  the  con- 
stitutional division  and  exercise  of  powers  granted 
by  the  Constitution.  The  <[uestion,  lus  to  how  far 
th(!  President  could  exercis<!  over  coiKjuei'ed  ])ro- 
vinces  certain  poweix,  had  never  been  (hrided,  and 
upon  the  establishment  of  a  ])rincij»le  which  should 
projjcrly  define  his  jxnvers  nmch  depended.  After 
mature  reflection,  I  am  convinced  that  tlui  President, 
as  such,  possesses  no  power  under  the  Constitution 
to  exercise  control  over  conquered  territory  during 
the  existence  of  war.  If  that  power  be  admitted, 
it  can  he  exercised  l>y  him  without  being  nndei"  the 
conti'ol  of  Congress.  If  so  disjwsed,  he  could  estab- 
lish (lovernments,  select  officers,  levy  armies,  and 
surround  himself  in  the  con([uered  territories  with 
all  the  pomp  and  ])ageant  of  a  Sultan.  But 
all  the  necessary  powers  am  conferred  upim  him, 
under  tluit  clause  of  the  Constitution  which  pro- 
claims that  he  is  the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  army 
and  navy  of  tht^  United  States ;  in  which  capacity 
his  conduct  is  under  the  immediate  supervision  of 


»iaspi:r  i.iijkau\ 

Oi::aii!  Marcli  I.IJM  i 

Iiist'^   Ayr.  :5h  '  1H,17 


I^K-M^ 


184 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


the  it _i,'iil{itive  jMiwtn*.  In  this  view  of  tin*  sub- 
ject, it  will  ))('  seen  that  all  the  jK)\vt'rs  whifh  it  is 
necessary  for  the  President  to  ])ossess,  are  prnvided 
by  the  Constitution,  Avliile  the  dani;('rs  which  niii^dit 
result  from  the  occupancy  of  the  I'i'esideiitial  cliair, 
by  a  man  too  ambitious  and  unscrupulous,  are  guard- 
ed against.  The  power,  then,  to  establish  all  go- 
verniiKtnts  necessary  to  preserve  our  coiupu'sts  in 
New  i\b'.\ico,  is  obviously  derived  from  tlu;  position 
of  Mr.  Polk  as  the  Commander-in-chief  of  tlie  army. 

Passing  to  the  consideration  of  the  attack  made 
in  Congress  upon  Mr.  Polk,  In'cause  he  liad  estab- 
lished through  Ills  subordinate  a  civil  government 
ui  that  ])<»rtion  of  the  country,  whidi  lie  had  him- 
self, in  effect,  claimed  to  be  a  ])art  of  Texas;  I  can 
oidy  say  that  Santa  Fc  belonged  either  to  '^J'exas  (»r 
Mexico.  If  to  tlie  former,  it  was  nevertheless  in 
the  possession  and  under  the  control  of  the  Mexi- 
cans, at  the  time  the  force  under  General  Kearny 
seized  it  for  nnd  in  behalf  of  the  United  Statem, 
and  held  it  under  the  necessities  of  the  case,  by 
military  ])ossession.  If,  on  the  contrary,  it  Ix'loiiged 
to  Mexico,  it  wan  rightfully  held  as  a  concpatred 
province ;  and  in  either  point  of  view  Mr.  Polk  was 
guilty  of  no  act  of  usurpation. 

Ab<mt  the  ir)tli  of  December,  1840,  Colonel 
Price,  who  had  been  left  in  command  of  New  M(!X- 
ico,  received  information  t)f  an  attempt  to  excite  an 
insurrection  among  t.u!  people  of  that  section  of 
the  country.  On  the  19th  of  January,  1847,  (Go- 
vernor Bent,  together  with  five  other  persons,  were 
murdered  at  Taos.     This  was  quickly  folio wtid  by 


POLK     A  D  M  I  N  I  H  T  U  A  T  I  ()  N  . 


185 


oth((r  hutdicncs  in  that  vicinity.  Colonel  I'lict! 
wa,s  iiifornicd  of  these  events  on  the  ijotli  of  .Fanu- 
ary,  and  also  tlnit  the  Mexicans  were  advuncini,' 
upon  Santa  Fo.  lie  at  once  resolved  to  meet  them. 
His  force  amounted  t(»  only  three  hundred  and  fifty- 
three  rank  and  file.  The  enemy  wviv  concentrated 
near  the  town  of  Canada,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Kio 
del  Norte,  and  Aver(!  intren(!hed  upon  the  h"i,i,d»ts 
conmianding  the  road  to  that  town,  and  had  forti- 
fied three  strong  houses  at  the  base  of  the  hill. 
The  American  artilleiy  was  immediatcdy  opened 
upon  these  positions,  and  in  a  short  time  the  Mexi- 
canH  were  flying  in  every  din cticin.  Tlie  nnmher 
of  the  enemy  was  estimatcid  at  ITjOO,  and  his  loss 
was  thirty-six  killed.  '^PIk^  loss  of  the  Americans 
was  two  killed  and  six  wounded. 

8ome  six  hundred  Mexicans  were  discovered 
upon  the  hills  near  tlu;  ])ass  of  End)rido,  who  were 
repulsed  l)y  two  hundred  Americans.  The  enemy 
retreated,  and  foi-tified  himself,  to  the  nundx'r  of 
six  hundred,  in  the  Puel)lo  de  Taos,  a  ])lace  of  re- 
markable strength,  whither  In;  was  followiid  ])y  the 
Americans,  now  numl)ei'ing  alx'it  iOO  men.  It 
was  surroimded  l)y  adol>e  walls  and  stKUg  pickets,* 
and  inclosed  several  buildings  of  siitiiciei  v.  ca])acity  to 
hold  several  hundred  men.  On  tli'-  ','(]  ihc  artillery 
opened  uptrnthe  place,  l)ut  without  much  effect.  The 
batteries  re-opened  upon  the  towji  on  the  morning  of 
the  fourth.  The  guns  were  not  of  sufficiently  large 
calibre  to  penetrate  the  walls  of  the  church,  and  it 

*  See  report  of  General  Price  to  the  Adjutant  General,  February  15th, 
1847. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

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186 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Avas  determined  to  storm  that  building;  and  v«ot- 
Avithhitanding  tlie  most  desperate  resistance  it  was 
taken,  not,  however,  until  a  six-pounder  was  brought 
to  bear  within  ten  yards  of  its  walls.  On  the  5th 
the  enemy  proposed  terras,  which  were  accepted. 
His  loss  was  one  hundred  and  fifty  killed,  Avhile 
that  of  the  Americans  was  seven  killed  and  forty- 
five  Avounded.  The  severe  chastisement  inflicted 
upon  them  for  their  dastardly  murder  of  Ameri- 
cans ])roduced  a  salutary  result,  which  was  not  the 
less  ert'ective  from  the  fact  that  it  was  performed  by 
greatly  inferior  numl^ers. 

The  Avar  thus  far  had  been  triumphantly  success- 
ful, and  Avhatever  disparity  of  numbei-s  AA^ere  en- 
gaged, victory  always  perched  upon  the  American 
l^anner.  It  should  not  be  supposed  that  the  enemy 
Avere  easily  defeated.  Their  constancy  under  the 
most  appalling  fire,  when  the  iron  hail  from  our 
fl}ing  artillery  crashed  through  theii-  ranks,  would 
have  d(jne  honor  to  the  most  resolute  veterans.  At 
Palo  Alto,  AA'here  that  instrument  of  death  swept 
away  their  columns,  they  displayed  the  most  un- 
daunted courage ;  and  at  Kesaca  they  made  a  gallant 
stand  in  the  face  of  the  American  infantry  and  ar- 
tillery, when  }>ayonets  gleamed,  and  grape  and  can- 
ister decimated  their  ranks. 


JASPFK  I-IBRAHY* 

^H'uaii'J  ytiiiijn  I.1T)54* 

Inst*  A\^f\  ::       1^137, 


CHAPTFR  vm. 

General  Scott  directed  to  proceed  to  the  seat  of  war.— General  Taylor  ad- 
vised to  act  upon  the  defensive,— Complaints  of  General  Taylor.— Move- 
ments of  Santa  Anna.— He  advances  upon  Agua  Nut-va.— Battle  of  Due- 
n«  Vista.— General  Scott  takes  Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle  of  San  Juan 
D'Llloa.— Capture  of  Alvarado.— Victory  ol  Cerro  Gordo.— .la  la  pa  and 
Perote  fall  into  the  lia.'ds  of  the  Americans.— Appointment  of  Mr.  Trist 
as  Commissioner  to  Mexico.— Puebla  is  surrendered  to  General  Worth. 
—Arrival  of  reinforcements  from  the  United  States.— The  American 
army  enter  the  Valley  of  Mexico. 

Soox  after  the  war  commeuced,  General  Scott  laid 
down  his  i)lan  of  operatioas  for  its  prtjsecution  ;  and 
altlioiigh  at  the  time  it  was  considered  rather  too 
elaljorate  and  complicated,  yet  it  may  well  he  a 
question  whether  he  did  not  write  more  undei-stand- 
ingly  than  any  one  whose  views  were  presented. 
To  repulse  an  enemy  from  our  territory,  and  to 
carry  the  war  from  our  own  borders  into  tlie 
heart  of  his  territoiy,  required  not  only  great  mili- 
tary skill,  l)ut  necessarily  demanded  the  ex]X'n- 
diture  of  a  large  amount  of  money.  To  organize 
and  discipline  the  men,  to  furnish  transportation,  to 
provide  supj)]ies,  to  obtain  the  requisite  amount  of 
arms  and  ammunition,  required  no  ordinary  foi-e- 
sight  and  sagacity.  In  addition,  thereto,  an  attempt 
was  to  be  made  upon  a  ho,stile  coast,  with  what  was 
regarded  as  an  inqiregnable  fortress  frowning  uj)on 
them.   To  surmount  all  these  obstacles,  the  splendid 


188 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


military  talents,  and  great  experience  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  army  was  called  forth.  On 
the  23d  of  November,  1846,  General  Scott  i-eceived 
order's  from  the  Department  to  repair  to  the  seat  of 
w"r,  and  organize  an  expedition  to  operate  on  the 
Gulf  coast  *  The  operations  of  General  Scott  were 
not  controlled  by  positive  instructions,  but  he  was 
left  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  judgment  in  forming 
and  executing  his  plan  of  the  campaign.  In  the  mean 
time.  General  Taylor  was  directed  by  the  War  De- 
partment to  act  upon  the  defensive,f  and  Avas  in- 
formed that  it  was  not  advisalile  to  penetrate  })e- 
yond  Monlt^rey,  while  the  expedition  against  the 
sea-coast  wa.s  advancing.  Esjiecial  care  was  taken 
by  the  War  Department  to  impress  upon  the  minds 
of  Scott  and  Taylor  the  danger  of  an  attack  by 
Santa  Anna  in  the  direction  of  Monterey,  while  the 
former  General  was  advancing  towards  Vera  Cruz.;f 
Taylor  himself  admits,  that  he  was  advised  by  the 
Commander-in-chief  to  evacuate  Saltillo,  but  that  he 
was  fearful  of  the  moral  effect  upon  the  volunteei"s.§ 
On  the  ir)th  of  January,  1847,  Taylor  wrote  his 
somewhat  celebrated  letter  of  complaint  to  Scott,j 
in  which  he  alludes  to  the  number  of  regulars  that 
were  withdrawn  from  his  line  of  operations,  leaving 
him  with  less  than    1,000  of  that  description  of 


*  Letter  of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Scott,  Novemljer  23d, 
1846. 

t  Letter  of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Taylor,  January  4th, 
1847. 

•l  Lpftcr  from  Marcy  to  Scott,  January  4lh,  1847. 

5  Fobriiary  7,  1847. 

II  Letter  of  Taylor  to  Scott,  January  16th,  1847. 


POL^     ADMINISTRATION. 


189 


troops,  and  a  volunteer  force,  partly  of  new  levies, 
to  hold  a  defensive  line.  Taylor  himself  Lad  sj>okeii 
of  the  impracticability  of  i)enetrating  to  the  heait 
of  Mexico  via  San  Luis,  and  had  rec<jmmended  a 
defensive  line  of  operations.  The  Cal^inet,  however, 
dift'ered  with  him  upon  that  point ;  and  as  they  had 
determined  to  attack  Mexico  in  another  direction, 
it  was  impoi-tant  to  ascertain  how  many  trfxjj)S 
could  be  spared  from  Taylor's  command  to  leintorce 
General  Scott.  Notwithstanding  the  complaints  of 
General  Taylor,  that  about  4,000  men  were  taken 
from  his  division  to  reinforce  the  expedition  to  Vera 
Cruz,  he  subsequmtly  stated  to  the  War  Dej>art- 
ment,  that  the  fore  e  still  remaining  under  his  com- 
mand would  enable  him  to  hold  the  jx^xtions  then 
occupied.* 

He  was  apj^rLsed  that  he  was  to  act  upon  the 
defensive,  and  was  especially  directed  to  retain  a 
sufficient  number  of  troops,  so  that  the  safety  of  his 
army  would  not  be  endangered.f  That  he  did  re- 
tain under  his  command  a  sufficient  numl>er  foi-  that 
purpose  we  have  seen  from  his  letter  of  January 
27th. 

I  wish  to  be  explicit  upon  this  branch  of  the 

*  "  The  force  with  which  I  am  left  in  this  quarter,  tliough  greatly  de- 
ficient in  regular  troops,  will,  doubtless,  enable  me  to  hold  tfie  pr^^itions 
now  occupied."— I^Her  of  General  Taylor  to  the  War  D'ljartmeni,  Jan- 
uary Vllh,  1847. 

t  "  On  the  spot,  you  will  know  the  strength  of  the  force  advancing 
against  yoii,  and  the  number  of  troops  necessary  to  resirt  it ;  you  wi'l  '■,\ 
no  means  weaken  yourself  so  as  to  expoi^e  the  army  under  your  command 
to  the  probable  hazard  of  di&aster."— Le«er  of  Mr.  Marcy  to  Gnu-ral 
Taylor,  October  23(i,  1846. 


190 


HISTORY     OF     THJE 


sul)ject,  hecause  the  infamuuK  and  rltli«*»-  .'Wsei'tinn 
was  uttered  upon  the  floor  of  Cami^vi:!*-.  rhnt  Mr. 
Polk  sought  to  weaken  Geuei-al  'i'uyUfi  tUv  fhe  pur- 
pose of  huvhig  his  army  cut  off  l-ji  +Jtnf;i  Anna.* 
It  will  he  seen,  that  the  extent  \\>  v^liii'lt  General 
Taylor  wouhl  weaken  liiniself  v^M^  I'lti  f^ntirely  to 
his  own  discretion.  As  wji^  ti'uJy  ^aitrM  hy  the 
Secretary  of  War,  he  wa*<  upon  th^-  ipvMind,  and 
was  far  more  capahle  of  judgiiij^'  wiitft  imnil^er  of 
troops  it  would  reijuire  to  deft^ud  hiuwf'lf  ivcainst 
any  column  the  Mexicans  might  Utijij^'  iffiiiuMt  him. 
He  had  already  given  it  as  his  ojiiuioti  flinl^  an  ad- 
vance upon  San  Luis  Potosi  wai^  :ilt^)«lifie,  and 
surely  it  will  not  he  insisted  that  any  j^afer  num- 
ber of  troops  should  have  l»eeu  left  mi(l»r  his  i>om- 
mand  than  was  necessary  to  keep  uy  iie  defensive 
line  he  had  himself  advocated,  it  cMiin^f  he  said 
with  truth  that  he  granted  his  }»enniMihn  for  the 
departure  of  the  troops  under  Geueiy]  Wi^rfh.  an  a 
reinforcement  to  General  Scott.  \n:>m\kt>  he  was 
willing  magnanimously  to  add  iu  tl**-  Ijiui'els  of  a 
brother  soldier  at  the  lisk  of  heiu^  iiiitiwlf  sacri- 
ficed. General  Taylor  sutfei-ed  thoue  it  s/^|)*  to  join 
General  Scott  because  he  had  no  a]»)K'tii*TiMnns  that 
Santa  Anna  would  advance,  if  at  uU-  iil  -nitRcient 
force  to  jeopard  the  safety  of  his  anuy.md  because 
he  must  have  considered  a  lai-ge  addHivrv  fo  !-^cott's 
force  necessary .f     His  dispatches  -to  rfiUt  War  De- 


*  See  debates,  Congressional  Globe,  30tJi  Couffrast'. 

f  "  Should  the  Government  determine  to  strik"  i<  (i^«H-w  h?owr  nt  Afex- 
ico,  it  is  my  opinion  that  the  force  Bliould  land  uhur  \'ttti  (*r^n.  or  Alva- 
rado,  and,  after  establishing  a  secure  deput,  luarcli  \imnit-  an  tlie  capital. 


POLK     A»>J«IITIHTRATION. 


191 


partineiit  <>jj  ihit  7th  anrl  14th  of  Fel)ruary,  1847, 
are  a  ti-iuiujiliaut  ji^frafation  of  the  infainous  charge 
matle  agaiuKt  tlwr  KjKwmtivf;.  In  those  repoi'ts  he 
states  that  th«:'j*.  wr'rti'r  mmors  of  Santa  Anna's  ad- 
vance in  fojc<^  fr<}m  ?*&n  Lnis,  but  that  he  phicetl  no 
reliance  in  th<^  muix»r*  If  (xeneral  Taylor,  who 
was  upon  th<^  n^r-jiKfr  ifyf  o|)*;rations,  placed  no  reli- 
ance in  the  rum<^r  thsst.  he:  wa.s  to  be  attacked  l)y 
Santa  Anna,  (^h<yitii«)  Mr.  Polk  he  blamed  for  not 
knowing  that  fa«<rt-  %'hf'Ti  he  was  more  than  3,0(»0 
miles  froijj  Gwji'r'ml  Taylr>r's  head-quarters?  It 
should  Ije  reiu<:'Mi1)K:TKn'l^  that  the  opinion  of  General 
Taylor  wa*;  i-!X\)r<i*!^'*\  only  seven  days  before  the 
battle  of  liu^r'jia  Vi^ftx  The  fiilsity  of  the  charge 
is  still  further  pfTyvi'i'J  by  the  dispatch  of  General 
Tayloi"  aft^r-i"  th<^  Ijialtltlcr  frf  Buena  Vista  was  fought, 
in  Avhich  he  say*;  thsuf.  he  })ecame  assured  on  the 
20th  of  PVbj-uarv  thM  the  enemy  had  assembled  in 
a  very  heavy  f<yr«:wr  at  Kncamacion,  thirty  miles  in 
front  of  Agua  Swivst^  with  the  evident  design  of 

The  amount  of  troops  J»9tiiliiw4  for  this  service  would  not  fall  short,  in 
my  judgment,  of  ii^.OW  luwitnt'  which  at  least  10,000  to  be  regular 
troops." — l/clln-  of  (jftufT^i  Ttijl/ir  to  thu  War  Department,  Oclohr  Iblh, 
1846,  Tlh  Volume  Kj^.-wfiif)'  tM-irumfntu,  Ist  session  29lh  Congress. 

*  "  I  have  no  intt-Uigww^-  from  rhe  interior  more  recent  or  more  au- 
thentic than  that  lieret'.rf'.n*-  itAmniTinicateri.  There  is  understood  to  l)e  no 
considerable  force  in  our  Inof,  onr  is  it  likely  that  any  serious  demonstra- 
tion will  be  made  in  tiiit  ^iwritw.  The  frequent  alarms  since  the  niidille 
of  Deccmtjer  seem  to  Juai*  Ituwt  without  substantial  foundation.'' — Dis- 
patch of  Genrral  Tayl'jr  «v  di»  Wrrr  D-'pnrtment,  February  1th,  1847. 

"  Rumors  reach  our  •euM<)i.  fiTim  rime  to  time,  of  the  projected  advance 
of  a  Mexican  force  upov  tin*  prj»irinn.  hut  I  think  such  a  movement  im- 
probable. The  command  i»  ftntrt  at  all  rimes  in  readiness  for  the  enemy." 
— Dispatch  of  General  T*^^  tnthf.  Herrelary  if  War,  Fchruanj  14/A, 
1847. 


> 


'A 


Ml 


192 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


attacking  las  position.*  Here,  then,  it  seems  that 
(ient;i'al  Taylor  was  not  a-s-s-ured  of  the  advance  of 
Santa  ^Vnna  until  two  days  Lefore  the  battle  of 
Bueiia  ^'ista  commenced ;  and  that  too,  when  he 
had  in  his  camp  Ben  McCullock,  the  best  living 
S})y  in  the  woild.  Under  all  these  circumstances, 
posterity  Avill  j)lace  a  just  ai)preciation  upon  the 
denunciations  of  partisans,  who  could  so  far  degrade 
themselves  as  to  pour  unnieiited  abuse  upon  the 
head  of  the  President.  Mr.  Polk  should  not  be 
held  responsible  for  the  disparity  of  numbers  array- 
ed u])on  the  fleld  of  Buena  Vista,  unless  he  was 
gifted  with  the  attributes  of  Deity.  If  it  was  neces- 
sary to  gi\'e  rejisons  to  disprove  the  charge  made 
against  the  administration,  there  are  two  which 
would  j)rove  it  conclusively.  The  fii-st  is  the  im- 
prol)al»ility  of  Mi".  Polk  Ijeing  so  utterly  devoid 
of  those  feelings  which  charactei'ize  a  man,  as  wil- 
lingly to  place  more  than  5,000  men  in  a  condition 
where  they  would  be  not  only  defeated,  but  in  all 
probability  exterminated.  He  had  been  accused 
of  wrongfully  commencing  the  war,  and  he  must 
have  possessed  a  depravity  of  heart  perfectly  incon- 
cei\'able  if  he  could  wantonly  peril  the  existence 
of  those  gallant  men,  who  had  left  their  kindred 
and  their  firesides  to  defend  the  honor  of  the  conn 
try,  amid  the  horrors  of  battle.    The  heart  which 

*  "  Sir  ; — I  have  the  honor  to  report,  that  having  hecome  assured  on 
the  20th  iiiHt.,  tlio  enemy  liad  assembled  in  a  very  heavy  force  at  Encar- 
nacion,  thirty  miles  in  front  of  Agua  Nueva,  with  the  evident  design  of 
attacking  my  position,  I  broke  iip^my  camp  at  the  latter  place  on  the  21st, 
and  took  n|)  a  strong  line  in  front'of  Buena  Vista,  seven  miles  south  of 
Saltillo." — Dispatch  of  General  Taylor,  February  24</i,  1847. 


POLK     ADJIINI8TKATI0N. 


193 


could  conceive  him  jLpiilty  of  such  unparalleled 
atrocity,  must  be  itself  devoid  of  honor.  The  se- 
cond is  the  fact  that  the  fame  of  the  administra- 
tion, as  well  as  that  of  the  ai'my,  depended  upon 
an  unbroken  series  of  triuni])hs.  The  defeat  of 
General  Taylor  would  not  only  have  resulted  in 
the  destruction  of  his  army,  but  would  have  left  to 
the  mercy  of  the  foe  every  soldier  west  of  the  Rio 
Grande.  This  would  not  only  have  been  the  case, 
but  the  operations  which  were  in  progi-ess  against 
the  city  of  Mexico  would  have  been  arrested,  and 
the  whole  plan  o'*  the  campaign  would  have  been 
fi'ustrated.  *'      ' 

There  was  a  difference  of  opinion  between  Scott 
and  the  War  Department,  as  to  the  course  which 
Taylor  should  pursue.  The  administration  feared 
an  advance  by  Santa  Anna,  and  therefore  cautioned 
Taylor  to  act  upon  the  defensive  ;*  while  Scott  ap- 
prehended, as  his  demonstration  upon  Vera  Cruz 
had  been  communicated  to  the  Mexican  General-in- 
Chief,  that  Santa  Anna  would  concentrate  his  forces 
on  the  road  leading  from  Mexico  to  the  coast.  He 
thought,  therefore,  that  Taylor  should  manoeuvre 
oifensively  in  the  direction  of  San  Luis.f 

*  "  While  engaged  in  an  expedition  on  the  sea-coast,  it  is  not  proposed 
to  penetrate  the  country  lieyond  Monterey,  with  a  view  to  its  permanent 
occupation,  though  it  is  desirable  to  maintain  a  threatening  attitude  at  that 
point.  Monterey  must  be  held  with  a  sufficient  force. " — Letter  of  the  Se- 
cretary of  War  to  General  Taylor,  January  4th,  1847. 

t  "  It  is,  consequently,  more  than  possible  that,  before  this  time,  the 
greater  part  of  the  'Mexican  army  lately  assembled  at  San  Luis  dc  Potpsi 
has  reached  Vera  Cruz,  or  its  vicinity.  Major  General  Taylor's  mind 
has  no  doubt,  ere  this,  arrived  at  the  same  conclusion  ;  and  I  shall  write 
to  suggest  to  him,  at  his  own  discretion,  the  advantage  of  manoiuvring 

18 


Or^aii'i  MarcJil.liJ.Sj, 
,    Iiist'i   Ayr.  :!n.i  IH.^T. 


194 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


I  liave  l)een  thus  explicit  in  alluding  to  this  sub- 
ject, because  it  has  been  made  the  basis  of  unjusti- 
fiable accusations  against  the  administration,  I 
feel  no  disposition  to  do  injustice  to  General  Taylor, 
The  sensitiveness  with  Avhich  military  men  regard 
the  iutegi-ity  of  their  command  is  jiroperly  apju-e- 
ciated,  and  the  anxiety  with  which  they  guard  their 
military  reputation  is  worthy  of  all  commendation. 
No  one  can  have  a  higher  estimation  of  the  gal- 
lantry and  jiatriotism  of  that  General  than  myself ; 
and  the  heroism  displayed  by  himself  and  his  men, 
in  the  terrible  encounter  with  Santa  Anna,  i)roves 
conclusively  that  the  pledge  he  made  in  his  letter 
of  complaint  to  General  Scott,*  was  fully  redeemed. 

AVhile  the  army  of  invasion  under  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, consisting  of  about  12,000  men, 
less  than  half  the  number  which  General  Taylor 
deemed  necessary  to  attack  Mexico  in  that  direc- 
tion,f  Avas  assembled  at  the  island  of  Lobos,  events 
of  the  greatest  magnitude  were  occurring  upon  the 
northern  line. 

The  great  exertions  which  Santa  Anna  had  for 
a  long  time  l)een  making  to  organize  a  large  force 
at  fcian  Luis  Potosi,  at  last  proved  successful.     Ex- 

offensivcly  in  the  direction  of  Snn  Luis  de  Potosi,  after  being  partially  re- 
inforced with  some  of  the  new  regiments  of  volunteers." — Lelter  of  Gene- 
ral Scoll  Id  Mr.  Mnrcy,  Fdiruary  4lh,  1847. 

*  "  But,  however  much  I  may  feel  personally  mortified  and  outraged 
by  the  course  pursued,  unprecedented,  at  least,  in  our  own  history,  I  will 
carry  out  in  good  faith,  while  I  remain  in  Mexico,  the  views  of  the  (iovern- 
mopt,  though  I  may  be  sacrificed  in  the  effort. ' — Lelter  nf  Geni-ral  Taylor 
to  Gennal  SrofI,  January  15//i,  1847. 

t  Sec  letter  of  flnnpral  Taylm  to  General  Scott,  October  15th,  1846. 
7th  volume  of  Executive  Documents,  1st  session  29lh  Congress. 


I 


POLK      ADMINISTRATION. 


195 


traordinui-y  energy  hud  also  Leen  exhibited  hy  the 
Mexicun  (TOV(!riinieiit  to  cany  out  his  views,  and  on 
tlie  8tli  of  Octo})er  kSanta  Anna  found  hinifielf  at 
the  head  of  an  effective  force  of  more  than  2(),<M)0 
men.  Employing  himself  with  great  industi-y  in 
disciplining  the  trooj)S  under  his  command,  he 
was  prepared  to  avail  himself  of  a  favorable  oppor- 
tunity to  precipitate  his  army  through  the  moun- 
tain gorges  of  the  Sieira  Mudre,  upon  the  scattei'ed 
and  weakened  forces  of  (Jeneral  Taylor.  He  knew 
the  absolute  n(^cessity  of  arousing  the  desponding 
hopes  of  the  M»!xican  nation  by  a  brilliant  demon- 
stration, and  he  saw  the  time  had  ai-rived  for  strik- 
ing an  ed'ective  blow  when  (reneral  Scott  was  tcjo 
far  advanced  towards  Vera  Cruz  to  fly  to  the  res- 
cue of  (leneral  Taylor.  Leaving  the  city  of  Vera 
Cruz  and  the  Castle  of  San  Juan  D'Ulloa  to  its 
fate,  he  determined  to  carry  the  war  "  into  Africa." 
War  Wius  reduced  to  a  science  wlien  Marshal 
Turenne  and  General  Montecuculli  each  was  aware 
what  mo\'tunent  the  other  would  make,  by  know- 
mg  what  he  would  do,  under  similar  circumstan- 
ces. It  is  but  just  to  admit  that  the  administra- 
tion possessed  some  of  that  foi-esight  and  saga- 
city, which  immortalized  the  French  and  Austrian 
commanders ;  for  they  repeatedly  impressed  upon 
the  minds  of  Scott  ar.,1  Taylor,  that  there  was  great 
danger  of  a  sudden  movement  by  Santa  Anna  from 
San  Luis ;  while  the  former  expected  a  demonstra- 
tion under  the  Mexican  leader  in  the  direction  of 
Vera  Cruz,  and  the  latter  placed  no  reliance  in  the 
rumoi"  that  a  large  force  was  advancing  against  him. 


^V!"f"*<^ 


IW 


II I  s  T  O  \i  Y      O  F     T  II  K 


The  favorable  moment  for  which  Santa  Anna 
had  anxiously  awaited  from  Octoljer  until  Fel>ruary 
had  now  arrived,  and  he  rapidly  advanced  i'wm 
San  Luis  in  the  direction  or'  Agua  Nueva.  General 
Taylor  was  assured  of  this  fact  c„  the  20th  of 
Fel)ruary,  1847,  and  fell  back,  to  a  more  favorable 
position  for  defence  at  Buena  Vista,  7  miles  south 
of  Saltillo,  and  1 1  miles  from  his  advanced  post  at 
Agua  Nueva.  This  movement  was  made  at  noon 
on  the  21st.*  With  a  small  force  General  Taylor 
returned  the  same  day  to  Saltillo,  to  make  some 
arrangements  for  the  defence  of  that  town,  leaving 
General  Wool  in  command  of  the  troops ;  and  lie- 
foi'e  his  return  on  the  morning  of  the  2 2d,  the 
enemy  were  advancing  and  in  sight,  having  marched 
from  Encarnacion,  a  distance  of  40  miles,  after  11 
o'clock  the  day  previous.  The  position  selected  by 
the  Amei'ican  commander  was  one  of  remarkalile 
strength.  The  road  at  that  point  passed  through  a 
narrow  defile,  and  the  valley  on  its  right  was  cut 
up  by  deep  and  impassable  gullies ;  while  on  the 
left  rugged  hills  and  precipitous  ravines  extended 
to  the  mountain  which  overlooked  the  battle  field ; 
thus  obstructing  the  use  of  the  enemy's  artillery 
and  cavalry,  j^nd  destroying  the  advantages  which 
he  possessed  in  the  numerical  superiority  of  his  in- 
fantry. At  11  o'clock  General  Taylor  received  a 
summons  from  Santa  Anna  to  surrender  at  discre- 
tion, which  he  declined  acceding  to.    No  serious 


*  For  details  of  tliis  battle  see  report  of  General  Tnylor  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  War,  Agua  Nueva,  March  6th,  1847.  Executive  Documents,  Ist 
session  30th  Congress.    Doc.  8,  p.  132. 


•wt^ 


POLK      ADMINISTRATION. 


197 


attack  was  meditated  l)y  the  Mexican  commandiM" 
dui'ing  that  day,  as  he  was  evideutly  awaiting  toe 
the  arrival  of  his  rear  guard.  The  trooi)s  l>i- 
Vduacked  svithjut  fires,  and  rested  with  arms  in 
their  hands.  A  body  of  ITjOO  cavahy  hoven  1  upon 
the  reav  of  the  Americans  during  the  day,  evi- 
dently having  been  ordered  to  take  that  position 
for  the  purpose  of  harassing  the  retreat. 

Tlie  American  commander  returned  again  to 
Saltillo,  and  when  he  arrived  upon  the  field,  on  the 
morning  of  the  23d,  the  battle  had  already  com- 
menced. The  action  was  brought  on  by  an  attempt 
of  the  enemy  with  light  troops  to  outflank  the 
American  left,  where  they  were  met  by  the  riflemen 
under  Colonel  Marshall  and  a  portion  of  the  2d 
Illinois  volunteers.  At  8  o'clock,  a  heavy  column 
advanced  along  the  road,  for  the  purpose  of  break- 
ing the  centre  of  our  troops,  but  they  were  repulsed 
and  di'iven  back  in  confusion  by  Washington's  bat- 
teiy.  About  this  time  a  dark  and  threatening  mass 
was  seen  hovering  upon  the  left,  and  column  after 
column  was  poured  upon  that  point  for  the  pur- 
pose of  forcing  it,  by  immensely  supei'ior  uumV)ers. 
Here  was  stationed  the  2d  Indiana  and  the  2d 
Illinois  regiments,  covering  O'Brien's  battery,  under 
the  immediate  command  of  General  Lane,  wlio 
oi'dered  the  Indiana  regiment  and  the  artillery  to 
advance.  That  regiment  receiving  a  teri-ilile  fire 
from  small  arms,  and  being  raked  by  a  cross  fire  of 
gi'ape  and  canister  from  a  Mexican  battery  planted 
upon  the  left,  broke  in  disorder  and  fled  from  the 
field,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  rnimber,  who 


w^^^ 


198 


HISTOIIY     OF     TlIK 


were  rallied  hy  Colonel  IJowleH.  O'Brien's  battery 
Avas  served  with  treineiidous  effect,  but  still  the 
Mexican  l>attali(jas  continued  to  advance,  and  not 
being  supported,  he  was  forced  to  retire,  leaving  l)e- 
hind  him  one  of  his  pieces.  A  gallant  stand  was 
now  made  by  the  2d  Illinois  regiment,  but  being 
at  last  outflanked,  it  was  forced  to  full  back.  The 
movement  (jf  the  Me.xicans  in  this  part  of  the  field 
was  com]>letely  successful,  and  the  light  troops  \\ho 
had  so  gallantly  defended  the  mountain,  were  forced 
to  retire,  and  were  not  rallied  until  they  readied 
the  depot  at  Jiuena  Vista,  which  they  subsequently 
aided  to  defend.  Heavy  colunms  of  infantry  and 
cavalry  were  now  poured  by  Santa  Anna  along  the 
foot  of  the  mountain,  to  the  rear  of  the  Americans, 
where  they  assembled  in  great  numbers.  It  was 
at  this  critical  monic^nt,  when  the  victory  was 
almost  within  the  gi-asp  of  the  enemy,  that  General 
Taylor  amved  upon  the  field,  accompanied  by  the 
Mississippi  liflemen,  who  were  ordered  into  action, 
and  greatly  distinguished  themselves  under  the 
leadei-ship  of  Coloiu-l  Davis,  They  were  gallantly 
sustained  l)y  the  2d  Kentucky  and  a  portion  of  the 
1st  Illinois  regiments,  and  l)y  the  batteries  of  Sher- 
man and  Bragg,  and  tlie  Mexicans  were  driven  with 
great  loss  from  the  positions  they  had  gained.  The 
American  artillery  Ijeing  in  position  on  the  plateau, 
produced  terriltle  havoc  among  the  masses  who  had 
gained  the  left.  Again  and  again,  the  Mexican 
columns  advanced  furiously  to  the  onset,  but  were 
as  often  driven  liark.  'Hie  rapid  and  terrible  dis- 
charges of  artillery  whicli  had  been   concentrated 


^^mm 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


199 


ttlftm  them,  created  disorder  in  tlieir  ranks,  and 
ihfty  attempted  to  effect  a  retreat  to  tlieir  main  line. 
In  the  mean  time,  a  heavy  force  of  the  Mexicans 
w#rr*r  hovering  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  Americans, 
ftvjdffitly  with  the  view  of  capturing  the  American 
T>a^jfaj(e.  The  troops  who  had  retreated  from  the 
ficrhl  rallied  to  its  defence,  and  assisted  by  the  Arkan- 
nm  nu(\  Kentucky  cavahy,  succeeded  in  protecting 
tliat  ]i*mt.  It  was  here  that  the  chivalrous  Colonel 
Y(M  ]mt  his  life.  The  situation  of  the  enemy,  who 
hsii]  firroken  through  the  left  wing,  and  had  gained 
thf,  rear  pf  the  Americans,  Avas  now  exceedingly 
mtical.  At  that  moment  Santa  Anna  sent  a  mes- 
m^*^  to  the  American  commander,  to  propound  the 
«,'Xtrfu»rflinary  question  of  "what  he  wanted!" 
Taylor  immediately  dispatched  General  Wool  to 
the  Mexican  General-in-chief,  and  at  the  same  time 
wnt  orrh^rs  to  cease  firing.*  The  Mexicans  still  con- 
tinned  the  attack,  and  General  Wool  returned  with- 
<mt  having  obtained  an  interview.  Santa  Anna 
}tm\  in  the  mean  time  gained  his  object,  which  was 
Uj  enable  that  part  of  his  army  wh  -  i  was  in  imnii- 


♦  "  The  position  of  that  portion  of  the  Mexican  army  which  had  gninod 
oar  f,»*f,  was  now  very  critical,  and  it  seemed  doubtful  whether  it  could  re- 
(^'m  lit*:  main  f)o<'y.  At  this  moment  I  received  from  Santji  Anna  a  ines- 
i"#ff«  fiy  ,1  sfafT  riflficer,  desiring  to  know  what  I  wanted  ?  T  iinniediately 
(%ffi»tc}if(\  Brigadier  General  Wool  to  the  Mexican  General-in-chiof,  and 
»«?nt  fffiUTn  to  cease  firing.  Upon  reaching  the  Mexican  linos,  General 
WtwJl  W)Tilfl  not  cause  the  enemy  to  cease  their  fire,  and  accordingly  re- 
Uttmxi  wifhont  having  an  interview.  The  extreme  right  of  llio  enemy 
t.tmlmnfii\  if.i  retreat  along  the  hnrj  of  the  mountain,  and  finally,  in  spite  of 
«i'l  tmr  HTonf,  effected  a  junction  with  the  remainder  of  the  army." 
— ^«  r'//w/  of  General  Taylor  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  March  6, 
1«IX 


^ 


'J^ 


X 

< 


♦  ^ 


200 


HISTORY     OF     TUE 


nent  danger  of  l^eing  cut  off,  to  rejoin  the  main 
body*  The  small  demonstrations  which  were 
made  hy  General  Minon  in  the  rear  of  the  Ameri- 
cans during  this  portion  of  the  day,  Avere  easily 
checked  by  Shover's  battery  and  Webster's  com- 
mand. The  firing  had  partially  ceased  upon  that 
part  of  the  field  Avhieli  had  been  so  hotly  disputed ; 
but  the  cessation  was  for  a  very  brief  period. 

The  Illinois  and  Kentucky  regiments,  instead  of 
acting  t)n  the  defensive,  made  an  advance  movement 
to  meet  the  foe.  The  collision  was  terrific ;  the 
ground  was  covered  with  the  slain,  but  the  Ameri- 
cans were  overwhelmed  by  superior  numbei's,  and 
were  forced  to  retreat,  leaving  dead  upoi-  the  field 
Colonels  Hardin  and  McKee,  and  Lieutenant  'Colonel 
Clay.  The  trophies  of  this  brilliant  charge  were 
two  of  Captain  O'Brien's  pieces.  He  had  sus:  ned 
his  position  to  the  very  last,  and  until  the  infantry 
which  supported  him  was  driven  back  in  disorder. 
At  this  critical  moment,  when  the  victory  had  almost 
deserted  the  American  eagles.  Captain  Braxton 
Bragg,  who  had  once  before  assisted  to  change  the 
fortunes  of  the  day,  and  arrest  the  tide  of  battle, 
which  threatened  to  sweep  over  the  American 
army,  arrived  upon  the  plateau  from  the  left,  and 
rapidly  passing  General  Taylor,  without  any  infant- 


*  "  The  Moxicnns  on  the  contrary  assert,  that  Santa  Anna  never  did 
send  such  a  message,  but  that  a  Mexican  Lieutenant,  Don  Jose  Maria  Mon- 
toyo,  haviniT  Ijoen  surrounded  hy  the  Americans,  and  not  desiring  to  be 
taken  prisoner,  protended  to  have  Ijeen  sent  to  General  Taylor  by 
Santa  Anna,  and  mannjred,  while  accompanying  General  Wool  to  the 
Mexican  Genenil-in-cliief,  to  separate  from  them,  and  thus  rejoined  the 
Mexicans." — Sik  Mexican  llislary  nf  the  War  with  Mexico,  p.  126. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION.  201 

ry  support,  at  once  placed  his  guns  in  battery. 
Nothing  but  his  presence  at  that  moment  in  the 
face  of  the  enemy,  saved  the  Americans  from  de- 
feat. The  dark  and  threatening  masses  of  Mexicans 
were  moving  rapidly  forward  with  irresistil)le  im- 
petuosity ;  the  centre  of  the  American  army  wa.s 
broken,  and  General  Taylor  himself  was  in  immi- 
nent danger  of  being  taken  prisoner.  With  that 
reckless  and  desperate  courage  which  characterized 
the  man,  and  wdth  that  intuition  which  could  seize 
the  only  moment  to  turn  the  tide  of  battle,  Caj)tain 
Bragg,  with  his  small  body  of  artillerymen,  unaided 
and  alone,  confronted  that  fierce  array  of  Mexicans, 
who  already  saw  the  victory  within  their  grasp. 
At  the  moment  Bragg  had  placed  his  guns  in  bat- 
tery, the  enemy  were  Avithin  a  few  yards  of  their 
muzzles,  and  rapidly  advancing.  The  first  discharge 
of  canister  from  his  guns,  made  terrible  havoc  in 
the  serried  ranks  of  the  enemy ;  they  reeled  and 
staggered  as  the  iron  hail  swept  away  whole  platoons. 
The  second  and  third  discharge  forced  them  to  re- 
coil in  dismay  from  before  those  terriljle  implements 
of  death,  which  carried  carnage  and  slaughter  into 
their  ranks,  and  they  fled  madly  from  the  field.  That 
was  the  last  attempt  made  by  the  enemy  to  carry 
the  American  position ;  and  the  night  furnished 
the  exhausted  troops  the  opportunity  for  refreshing 
themselves.  Amid  the  dead  and  the  dying,  without 
fires,  they  bivouacked  upon  the  field  of  battle,  list- 
ening to  the  groans  of  the  wounded,  and  to  the 
chilling  blasts  which  howled  througli  the  valley, 
expecting  the  morning  sun  to  witness  a  renewal  of 


m. 


202 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


the  comhat,  which  had  already  covered  the  field 
with  tlie  (lying  and  the  dead.  But  the  result  of  that 
long  and  desperate  conflict  had  broken  the  spirit  of 
the  Mexican  army.  Where  they  expected  to 
achieve  an  easy  victory,  they  were  met  with  a  cour- 
age bordering  upon  desperation,  and  they  retired 
from  that  field  of  slaughter  dispirited  and  dismayed. 
Thus  ended  the  bloody  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  which 
resulted  in  the  signal  triumph  of  the  American 
arms. 

The  force  engaged  under  General  Taylor  was 
334  ofl[icers,  and  4,425  men,  of  which  only  453  were 
regular  troops.  The  strength  of  the  Mexican  army 
was  at  least  20,000  men.  The  American  loss  was 
207  killed,  456  wounded,  and  23  missing.  The  loss 
of  the  Mexicans  in  killed  and  Avounded,  according 
to  the  lowest  estimate,  was  1500,  and  probably 
amounted  to  2,000. 

AVhen  we  take  into  consideration  the  disparity 
in  the  numbere  engaged,  and  the  obstinacy  with 
which  the  victory  was  disputed,  we  cannot  but  come 
to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  one  of  the  most  san- 
guinary battles  ever  fought  upon  this  continent.  It 
was  the  only  l)attle  of  any  importance  during  the 
war,  in  which  the  Americans  acted  upon  the  defen- 
sive. It  is  tt"ue,  that  they  had  the  advantage  of  a 
very  strong  position,  and  defended  themselves  Avith 
a  knowledge  that  almost  certain  death  would  follow 
in  the  pathway  of  defeat.  It  is  also  true  that  the 
last  hopes  of  the  enemy  were  staked  upon  the  result 
of  this  encounter.  They  had  been  for  months  pre- 
paring for  it ;  and  the  army  was  well  armed  and 


■TTgllM 


POLK     ADMINISTEATIOX. 


203 


well  disciplined,  and  with  high  hopes  and  confident 
anticipations,  they  commenced  the  attack  on  the 
morning  of  the  28d.  Not  only  were  they  contend- 
ing for  theii'  fii-esides  and  their  homes,  Imt  for  the 
food  which  they  expected  to  capture  in  the  camp 
of  General  Taylor  * 

Where  so  much  desperate  courage  was  exhibited 
by  the  American  army,  and  so  many  instance:*  of 
personal  daring  signalized  that  bloody  field,  it  i.s  a 
subject  of  deep  mortification,  that  a  panic  should 
have  induced  a  portion  of  the  army  to  desert  their 
colors,  and  by  an  attempt  to  secure  their  own  safety, 
to  hazard  the  existence  of  all.  Perha[>s  it  wiU  not 
be  regarded  as  unjust  to  those  who  fought  through- 
out the  day  with  great  constancy,  to  allude  particu- 
larly to  the  celebrated  charge  of  the  Mississippi 
riflemen,  under  Colonel  Da\'is,  which  restored  the 
fortunes  of  the  day,  when  the  Mexican  ma^sses  had 
broken  through  the  left  of  the  American  line ;  and 
the  last  desperate  stand  taken  by  Captain  Bragg, 
far  in  advance  of  any  infantry  support,  and  in  the 
face  of  immense  columns  of  the  enemy,  when  by  the 


*  "  Hia  Excellency,  the  General-in-chief,  furthermore  orders  that  the 
different  corps  shall  to-day  receive  from  the  Commissary  three  days'  ra- 
tions, for  the  21st,  22d,  and  23d  ;  and  that  they  require  the  necwirary  meat 
this  afternoon,  for  the  first  meal  to-morrow  morning,  wliich  the  troops  are 
directed  to  eat  one  hour  before  taking  up  the  line  of  march  ;  and  the  se- 
cond will  be  taken  in  their  haversacks,  to  be  eaten  in  the  nisht,  wherever 
they  may  halt ;  this  last  will  consist  of  meat,  two  biscuiti!,  and  a  half  a 
cake  of  (Piloncillo)  brown  sugar,  for  each  man;  for,  on  the  night  of  the 
21st,  there  will  be  no  fires  permitted,  neither  will  signal  be  made  by  any 
military  instrument  of  muuic,  the  movement  at  early  daybreak  on  the 
morning  of  the  22d  having  to  be  made  in  the  most  profound  silence." — 
General  Orders  of  Santa  Anna,  of  the  20th  February,  1847. 


^ 


204 


HISTOKT      0>'     THjf: 


I'iipid  and  murderous  discbar^'es  of  iji^  tf\*in(^  aTtil- 
lery,  he  drove  them  back  with  trHiutnidMin-^ijinufhter. 

Much  credit  is  due  to  Geuerul  >A'wv|J  fiw  his  >*a- 
gacity  in  selecting  the  field,  and  :l'v»f  tlip  military 
skill  which  planned  the  oi'der  of  UtfBlf^..  Tht^  re- 
nc»wn  which  General  Taylor  hud  uc^jtiivd  in  the 
victories  on  the  Rio  Gi-ande,  and  in  il**  (-aptiire  of 
Monterey,  proved  a  tower  of  Htr»}jj^i.  iip<^n  the 
field  of  Buena  Vista.  The  Mt-xi«;«iir  ti'nrcf],  what 
the  Americans  believed,  that  he  cuUl(l  ilMt  he  de- 
feated; and  during  the  chau^'iug  Ivtrtniw  of  that 
terrible  day,  while  victory  alteiimt*^)y i)#»i',.h«>f|  upon 
the  banners  of  the  couteudiujSf  urjui':^  tiip  A  men- 
cans  turned  with  confidence  and  \^{Hh  hope  upon 
the  stern  and  unyielding  couuteuau'^  \t'  f1i»'ir  chief. 

Along  the  road  leading  fruiu  iiu>na  ViHta  to 
Agua  Nueva,  a  scene  of  ht»nor  ^^a^  j)f'e<rHntt^(i  on 
the  night  of  the  23d  of  Febi-uury.  UH««  iiif>ans  of 
transporting  the  wounded  being  e.«ft(Vt?iip|y  limited, 
they  were  left  to  struggle  with  Hufliifriirp  .vnd  with 
death,  and  the  sighing  wind  and  tin  -ft*aiflin<jr  ojy 
of  the  wolf  was  their  onl}'  reijuitnu-  Xlmndnned 
to  their  fate,  without  food,  par-ili'TJl  \vif]i  tliir^it 
without  medical  aid,  and  with  no  rihMK*f*  fo  pi'otect 
them  from  the  piercing  night^aii. 'fihHy.nvaitHd  the 
moment  when  death  should  releume  iii'tn  tVom  tli«Mr 
suffering.  The  main  ])ody  of  tht-  wtfiiy  I'eached 
Agua  Nueva  at  midnight,  and,  dyinj!  \  tli  thiri^t 
the  soldiers  plunged  into  a  staguaui  Mit^ff,  M'  water 
which  in  manv  cases  j)roduced  iu.-<lmfi  i<i»afh.  Hnf- 
fering  for  the  want  of  food  and  WM^Uf  (iiwpinted 
and  disheartened  by  the  i-esultf  of  iliv  ImrtU*.  they 


POLK     AfaJfUrrSTRATION.  205 

presentt'd  a  rtrilkimjr  crfmtrast  to  that  splendid  array 
wliit'h,  Ijuoyajait  winhi  hrype  and  confident  of  victory, 
Lad  attackf^d  tJiWr  American  army. 

The  wo\iii<hi*l  *^it-inY  who  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  AiJieiicaiifi,  wi'iTt'r  wA  <m\y  kindly  treated,  but 
])l•ovisi(JU^^  w^t-jv  <yffli-Twl  to  Santa  Anna  by  General 
Taylor.*  Oii  xIm-:  'I'Ah  Santa  Anna  moved  his  army 
in  the  <lirectioij  *4  San  Lni^--  Potosi. 

M'liile  th<!x<'  BMnjx'j'ttant  events  were  transpiring 
Santa  Aim-d.  wa*  I*irc->tidfnt,  and  Gomez  Farias  wtia 
Vice  Vvnt^iiWnX  '^  M^xu-.o.  The  capital,  during  the 
absence  of  th^e  IVrHicIftnt  npon  his  northern  cam- 
paign, wair  tli.^!-  W5*rt«fr  ^)if  anarchy  and  violence.  Fa- 
rias, in  whow:-  JiiancjA  wa^*  j>laeed  the  executive  au- 
thority, houofht  ten  fffTCM  contributions  from  the 
clergy  for  tha  lymrjjxjHfr  of  prosecuting  the  war,  and 
at  the  same  tiwii^  t/*  f\(^tv(>y  their  power  by  appro- 
priating the] J-  ■««-.al!«Ii,  This  produced  gi'eat  excite- 
ment, and  f3jia]]y  rx-sTiItfrfl  in  a  resort  to  arms,  and 
the  insuneetiojj  «aw  c>nly  t  rminated  by  the  arrival 
of  Santa  Amxa  m  thfr  <ity. 

While  tlie  MK'Xwran  nation  were  divided  and 
distract^r-d  by  mtt-rmil  t*^>Tnmotions,  General  Scott,  on 
the  9th  of  >tar<rliu  1^47,  effected  a  landing  in  the 
vicinity  of  Veiiai  i'tw,  with  a  well  appointed  army 
of  12,(M>0  mejju  He-  hat]  nnder  his  command  several 
officers  of  y*ir\  hi0t  fftjmtation ;  among  the  numljer 
were  Geuerak  Woftth^  Twiggs,  Quitman,  Persifer 
F.  Smith ;  Othtt^fh  I>mican,  Harney,  Garland,  Ri- 
ley, Mclnt<*;!i,  CTark,  and  others,  besides  many 
who  afterward*^  «li#(tingnr?thed  themselves.     General 

*  Mexicttu  Ikf/^o}  fit  the  War  with  Mexico,  p.  133. 


206 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Worth's  division  of  regulars  first  la  led  upon  the 
beach,  and  was  followed  by  the  division  of  the 
United  States  volunteei-s  under  General  Patterson, 
and  the  l)rigade  of  General  Twiggs.  The  landing 
was  eft'ected  without  o])po9ition  under  the  guns  of 
the  American  squadron.  The  line  of  investment 
was  commenced  on  the  same  day,  but  was  not  com- 
pleted until  March  12th,  1847,*  owing  to  the  diffi- 
culties of  the  ground,  and  the  want  of  the  necessary 
materials.  During  that  time,  too,  a  norther  pre- 
vailed, which  di'ove  the  clouds  of  sand  into  the 
faces  of  the  troops,  and  rendered  their  operations 
exceedingly  difficult.  Frequent  discharges  from 
the  city  and  castle  greatly  discommoded  the  Amer- 
ican troops.  Skirmishes  took  place  betAveen  the 
brigades  of  Pillow  and  Quitman  and  parties  of  the 
enemy.  The .  officers  and  sailors  of  the  squadron 
greatly  assisted  in  completing  the  lines  around  the 
city.  On  the  14th,  the  Americans  forced  the  enemy 
to  relinquish  the  space  which  intervened  between 
the  American  lines  and  the  city.  But  the  contin- 
uance of  the  storm  rendered  it  verv  difficult  to  land 
the  heavy  ordnance  from  the  fleet  until  March 
18th.  On  the  2  2d  of  March,  at  two  o'clock.  General 
Scott  issued  a  summons  to  the  Governor  of  Vera 
Cruz  to  surrender,  informing  him  that  the  city  was 
invested  ])y  sea  and  land.  Tliis  communication  was 
responded  to  on  the  same  day  by  the  Governor, 
Juan  Morales,  who  rejected  his  proposal,  and  Gen- 
eral Scott  ordered  the  seven  mortars,  which  were 

♦  See  Reports  of  General  Scotti  Executive  Documents,  1st  eession 
29th  Congress,  volume  2. 


^1 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


207 


placed  in  buttery,  to  fire  upon  the  city.  The  lighter 
vessels  which  composed  Commodore  Perry's  squad- 
ron approached  witliin  a  mile  and  an  eightli,  and 
being  somewhat  protected  from  the  raking  fire  of 
the  castle,  they  opened  their  artillery  upon  the  city. 
Tlie  discharges  from  the  fleet  and  the  mortars  con- 
tinued during  the  night  of  the  2  2d,  and  on  the  28d 
three  more  mortal's  were  added  to  the  number. 
During  the  24th  the  fire  somewhat  slackened,  but 
on  the  2')th  all  the  Ijatteries  were  in  operation,  and 
proved  terribly  destructive,  especially  battery  num- 
ber four,  which  mounted  four  twenty-four  pounders, 
and  two  eight  inch  paixhan  gims.  The  effect  of 
this  tremendous  fire  upon  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz 
was  most  frightful.  The  shells,  exjdoding  in  the 
heart  of  the  city,  not  only  demolished  the  buildings, 
but  the  iron  missives  with  which  they  were  (jharged 
carried  death  and  dismay  in  every  direction.  The 
bombardment  was  so  disastrous  that  the  consuls  of 
Great  Britain,  France,  Spain,  and  Russia,  desired 
General  Scott  to  grant  a  truce,  to  enable  the  neu- 
trals and  the  Mexican  women  and  children  to  aban- 
don the  city.  To  that  communication  General  Scott 
replied,  that  he  could  not  gi'ant  a  truce  unless 
applied  for  by  the  Governor  of  Vera  Cruz,  accom- 
panied by  a  distinct  proposition  to  surrender  the 
city.  He  also  informed  them  that  the  communica- 
tion between  the  neutral  ships  of  war  lying  in  the 
vicinity  of  Vera  Cruz  was  kept  open,  to  allow  the 
neutrals  in  the  city  an  of)portunity  for  escape. 

On  the  26th  of  March,  General  Scott  received 
overtures  from  General  Landero  for  a  suspension 


^ 


208 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


of  liostilitioH,  for  tlie  ])uri)ose  of  having  honorable 
terms  made  with  the  garrison.  Tliis  proposition 
was  accej)ted  by  the  Connnander-in-chief,  wlio  ap- 
pointed (renerals  Wortli  and  PiUow,  and  Cohmel 
T<)tt<'n,  Aniei'ican  commissioners,  and  the  terms  of 
eapituhition  were  I'atified  })y  the  respective  com- 
manders on  tlie  27th  of  March,  1847.  It  was 
agreed  that  the  garrison  sliould  surrender  them- 
selves jH'isoners  of  war,  the  Mexican  officers  to  pre- 
serve tlieir  arms  and  private  effects,  and  together 
\^'ith  the  rank  and  file  of  the  regular  portion  of  the 
prisoners,  to  give  their  parole  not  to  serve  again 
during  the  war,  or  until  they  were  duly  exchanged. 
With  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz  and  San  Juan  de  Ulloa 
were  surrendered  5,000  prisonei-s. 

This  splendid  achievement,  accomplished  as  it 
was  with  comparatively  a  very  small  loss,  was  cer- 
tainly one  of  the  most  brilliant  events  of  the  Mexi- 
can v/ar.  Tlie  Castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa  was 
considered  impregnable  by  Europeans,  and  was  only 
taken  by  the  French  a  few  years  previous  by  the 
accidental  explosion  of  a  magazine.  To  land  upon 
a  hostile  shore,  and  to  encircle  the  city  of  Vera 
Cruz,  under  the  fire  of  her  batteries,  illustrated  the 
militai'y  skill  of  General  Scott,  and  the  patient  en- 
durance and  gallantry  of  the  American  troops.  A 
new  base  of  operations  was  thus  obtained,  which 
opened  a  short  and  direct  line  to  the  city  of  Mexico. 

Tlie  day  after  the  surrender  of  the  city,  General 
Quitman  was  ordered  to  advance  upon  Alvarado, 
where  he  arrived  on  the  1st  of  April,  but  found 
the  place  had  been  taken  possession  of  by  Lieuten- 


* 


I'OLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


209 


aut  Hunter,  wlio  had  been  ordered  l)y  Coinmodore 
Perry  to  giiai'd  the  mouth  of  tlie  river  with  the 
steamer  Seourj^e.  Although  this  feat  u})ou  the 
part  of  tlie  galhint  lieutenant  was  performed  with- 
out bloodshed,  .still  Alvarado  was  not  taken  aecoid- 
ing  t(j  the  plan  of  oj)erations,  which  was  to  call  into 
re([uisiti(Mi  Quitman's  brigade,  and  the  s(|uadron 
under  Commodore  Perry ;  and  he  was  arrested,  tried 
by  a  court-ujartial,  found  guilty  of  a  disobedience 
of  orders,  sentenced  to  a  rej)rimand  by  Perry,  which 
sentence  was  carried  into  etfect  by  that  officer  with 
a  harshness  which  jn-oduced  a  general  feeling  of  dis- 
gust and  indignation. 

On  the  ()th  of  April,  the  fii-st  division  of  the 
Amei'ican  army  took  up  their  line  of  march  for  the 
city  of  Mexico.  General  Worth  was  again  placed 
in  the  advance.  Twiggs  with  the  second  division 
started  on  the  8th,  and  Patterson  on  the  9th  with 
the  third. 

It  was  the  opinion  of  General  Scott  after  the 
fall  of  Vera  Cru;^,  that  if  American  commissioners 
were  at  his  head(iuarters,  a  satisfactory  peace  might 
be  o})tained.*  On  the  9th  he  received  information 
that  Santa  Anna  had  arrived  with  6,000  men  at 
Jalapa ;  he  did  not  believe,  however,  that  his  force 
amounted  to  half  that  number.f    He  started  on 

*  "  AH  the  intelligent,  the  wealthy  and  sober-minded  citizens  of  the 
capital  and  elKCwhere  are  anxious  for  peace,  yielding  to  us  as  tlie  biisis, 
the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande  and  Upper  California.  With  American 
commissioners  at  the  headquarters  of  this  army,  I  think  it  quite  probable 
that  by  our  arrival  at  Puebla,  if  not  before,  we  should  be  met  by  Mexican 
commissioners  empowered  to  treat  on  that  basis." — Letter  of  General 
Scolt  In  the  Secretary  of  War,  April  blh,  1847. 

t  Dispatch  of  General  Scott  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  April  11th,  1847. 
14 


m 


m 


HISTORY     OF     TUB 


the  12th  for  the  front.  Twiggs,  in  the  mean  time, 
had  arrived  in  tlie  vicinity  of  Plan  del  Rio,  where 
he  found  the  Mexicans  intrenched  in  a  funnidulde 
position,  which  \vm  defended  by  a  much  larger  force 
than  he  expected.  The  national  road  crosses  a 
email,  but  very  rai)id  stream,  at  the  village  of  Plan 
del  llio.  Near  the  village  were  several  heights, 
upon  which  were  planted  batteries  that  commanded 
the  road  for  some  distance,  and  rendered  the  posi- 
tion exceedingly  formidable.  General  Scott  at  once 
determined  to  storm  the  batteries,  and  drive  the 
enemy  from  their  intrenchments,  and  issued  his  or- 
dei-s  with  as  much  sangfroid  as  if  their  publication 
at  the  head  of  each  regiment  was  equivalent  to 
their  execution.* 


*  "  General  Orders,  )  "  Headquarters  of  the  Army,  ) 

No.Ul.      S  Plan  del  Rio,  April  \lth,  1847.      S 

"  Tlic  ciiomy's  whole  lino  of  intrenchments  and  batteries  will  be  at- 
tacked in  front,  and  at  the  same  time  turned,  early  in  the  day  to-morrow— 
probably  before  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

"  The  second  (Twiggs)  division  of  regulars  is  already  advanced  within 
easy  turning  distance  towards  the  '.nemy's  left ;  that  division  has  instruc- 
tions to  move  for\vord  before  daylight  to-morrow,  and  take  up  position 
across  the  national  road  in  the  enemy's  rear,  so  as  to  cut  off  a  retreat 
towards  Jaiapa.  It  may  be  reinforced  to-day  if  unexpectedly  nttacked  in 
force, by  regiments— one  or  two— taken  from  Shields'  brigade  of  volunteerB. 
If  not,  the  two  volunteer  regiments  will  march  for  that  purpose  at  day- 
light to-morrow  morning,  under  Brigadier  General  Shields,  who  will  re- 
port to  Brigadier  General  Twiggs,  on  getting  up  with  him,  or  to  the  Gene- 
ral-in-cliief,  if  ho  be  in  odvance. 

"  The  remaining  regiment  oi  ihat  volunteer  brigade  will  receive  in- 
Htructions  in  the  course  of  this  day. 

"  The  first  division  of  regulars  (Worth's)  will  follow  the  movement 
against  the  enemy's  left  at  sunrise  to-morrow  morning. 

"  As  already  arranged,  Brig.idier  General  Pillow's  brigade  will  march 
at  6  o'clock  to-morrow  morning  tilcng  the  route  he  has  carefully  recon- 
noitered,  and  stand  ready,  as  soon  as  he  hears  the  report  of  arms  on  our 


%m^ 


POLK     AD5f  INI8TUATI0N. 


211 


* 


Tlie  division  under  Twiggs  was  ordered  to  move 
before  daylight,  and  takt^  position  across  the  na- 
tional road  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  for  the  i)ur- 
pose  of  cutting  off  his  retreat  in  the  direction  of 
Jalap  a. 

Worth's  division  was  commanded  to  attack  the 
left  of  the  Mexicans  at  sunrise,  while  Pilhtw's  brig- 
ade was  ordered  to  carry  the  batteries  near  the 
river.    These  orders  were  brilliantly  executed,  with 

right,  or  sooner  if  circiimRtances  should  favor  him,  to  pierce  the  enemy's 
line  of  bnttcricH  at  sucii  point — the  nearer  to  the  river  the  hotter — ns  lie 
may  select.  Once  in  the  rear  of  that  lino,  he  will  turn  to  the  rirrht  or 
left,  or  hoth,  and  attack  the  batteries  in  reverse,  or  if  abandoned,  he  will 
pursue  the  enemy  with  vigor  nntil  further  orders. 

"  Wall's  field  buttery  and  the  cavalry  will  be  held  in  reserve  on  the 
national  road,  n  little  out  of  view  and  range  of  the  enemy's  batteries. 
They  will  take  up  that  position  at  9  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

"  The  enemy's  batteries  being  carried  or  abandoned,  all  our  divisions 
and  corps  will  pursue  with  vigor. 

"  This  pursuit  may  be  continued  many  miles,  until  stopped  by  dark- 
ness or  fortified  positions  towords  Jalapa,  Consequently  the  body  of  the 
army  will  not  return  to  this  encampment,  but  be  followed  to-morrow  after- 
noon, or  early  the  next  morning,  by  the  baggage  trains  of  the  several 
corps.  For  this  purpose  the  feebler  officers  and  men  of  each  corps  will 
be  left  to  guard  its  camp  and  effects,  and  to  load  up  the  latter  in  the  wa- 
gons of  the  corps.  A  commander  of  the  present  encampment  will  be 
designated  in  the  course  of  this  day. 

"  As  soon  as  it  shall  be  known  that  the  enemy's  works  have  been  car- 
ried, or  that  the  general  pursuit  has  been  commenced,  one  wagon  for  each 
regiment  and  battery  and  one  for  the  cavalry  will  follow  the  movement,  to 
receive,  under  the  direction  of  medical  officers,  the  wounded  and  disabled, 
who  will  be  brought  back  to  this  place  for  treatment  in  general  hospital. 

"  The  surgeon-general  will  organize  this  important  service,  and  desig- 
nate that  hospital  as  well  as  the  medical  officers  to  be  left  at  it, 

"  Every  man  who  marches  out  to  attack  or  pursue  the  enemy  will  take 
the  usual  allowance  of  ammunition  and  subsistence  for  at  least  two  days. 

"  By  command  of  Major  General  Scott. 

H.  L.  SCOTT, 
A.  A.  A.  General. 
Executive  Documents,  1st  session  30th  Congress,  Volume  2,  p.  259. 

JASPEll   lAUHAiiY, 
Ovu:iiiil  Marrli  HJJ34, 


Iiist<?   Ayr,  !2v.'  1^5 


212 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


the  exception  of  tlie  assault  under  Pillow,  whose 
command  being  <,»rdered  to  cliarge  before  it  was 
formed,  wan  twice  rej)ulrt<;d  })y  the  terrible  fire  fi'oni 
the  Mexican  batteries.  This  portion  of  the  Mexi- 
can j)osition  was  mucli  stronger  than  had  been  an- 
ticij)ated,  and  was  defended  by  regular  troops  and 
skilful  and  gallant  oflicei-s,  Tlie  charge  under  Co- 
lonel ITai'n<;y  uj)  tin;  stec^p  and  j)recipitous  ascent  in 
the  face  of  the  Mexican  guns,  wjis  a  daring  and  bril- 
liant aftair,  and  resulted  in  drivhig  the  enemy  with 
great  slaughter  from  that  jjart  of  the  field.  The 
orders  issued  Uj  the  division  of  Worth  and  Twiggs 
were  executed  with  gr<;at  gallantry,  and  the  com- 
mand of  the  latter  (i«;n<!ral  sustained  considera])le 
loss  in  executing  his  orders.  About  3,000  prisonei-s 
with  five  generals,  and  many  other  officers  of  rank, 
were  some  of  the  fruits  of  this  victory.  The  loss 
of  the  Americans  in  killed  and  wounded  was  about 
250 ;  that  of  the  enemy  about  350.  Among  the 
American  officei-s  wh«»  were  desperately  wounded 
was  General  Shields.  Tlie  pursuit  of  the  enemy 
was  rapidly  continued  in  the  direction  of  Jalapa. 
The  rout  of  the  Mexicans  was  complete,  ard  they 
dispei-sed  in  utter  confusion,  and  the  Americans 
soon  after  took  j)ossession  of  Jalaj)a  ^imi  the  strong 
fortress  of  Perote.*  At  the  latter  place  wei-e 
captured  54  guns  and  mortars,  11,005  cannon  balls, 
14,300  bombs  and  han(l-gr(;nades,  and  500  muskets. 
The  efftict  produc<Ml  upon  the  enemy  bj^  the  de- 
cisive victories  won  by  the  American  arms,  was  so 
great,  that  if  the  Commander-in-chief  had  been  en- 

*  Report  of  General  Worth,  Perote,  April  22d,  1847. 


^1 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


213 


si\ih<]  t/)  muster  the  requisite  force,  he  might  in  all 
|»ro}»ahility  have  taken  the  city  of  Mexico  v/ithout 
iHtriking  another  blow.  But,  unfortunately,  the  time 
for  which  seven  of  the  volunteer  regiment.*  had  en- 
H?*tf!/1,  was  ahout  to  expire.  Congress  had  passed  a 
Jaw  for  the  re-enlistment  of  such  portions  of  them 
a«  might  be  disposed  to  continue  in  the  sei-vice  of 
th«  country.  But  it  was  soon  evident  that  they 
wen',  resolved  to  return  to  their  homes.  Many  <»f 
ihern  had  performed  arduous  service,  and  although 
th(r  "  Halls  of  the  Montezumas,"  in  which  they  had 
manifested  such  determination  to  revel,  were  now 
<?aHy  of  access,  still  no  one  can  censure  them  fur 
ihc  (■(mme  which  tlisy  thought  proper  to  pursue. 
tNs  their  term  of  service  was  nearly  completed,  they 
did  not  relish  the  idea  of  penetrating  further  into 
the  interior,  and  in  view  of  the  danger  which  they 
would  incur  from  the  vomito,  in  passin^^  through 
"V'rra  C'rui!,  the  Commander-in-chief  determined  to 
di?t<fiarge  them  at  once.* 

'Hiere  was  no  other  course  left  to  General  Scott 
bat  to  advance  on  the  city  with  an  army  greatly 


*  "  Thp  Generol-in-chief  regrrets  to  learn,  throuirh  a  great  number  of 
nrwkjtibfcd  channels,  that,  in  all  probability,  not  one  man  in  ten  of  those 
fCfliTM-ni*,  will  be  inclined  to  volunteer  for  the  war.  This  predetermina- 
tion ofTrrs,  in  his  opinion,  no  ground  for  reproach,  considering  the  long; 
flirdnoiis,  fnithfnl,  and  gallant  services  of  those  corps,  however  deeply  all 
will  regrot  the  consequent  and  unavoidable  delay  in  the  prosecution  of 
this  war  to  an  early  and  honorable  peace  ;  for  the  Gencral-in-rhief  cannot, 
in  hriieanity  and  good  faith,  cause  regiments  entitled,  in  a  few  weeks,  to 
on  honorable  discharge,  to  advance  further  from  the  coast  in  pursuit  of 
fhc  fwrny,  and  thereby  throw  them  upon  the  iiecpssitv  of  retuminsr  to 
pmhnrk  at  Vera  Cruz,  at  the  season  known  to  bn,  af  that  place,  the  most 
fatal  to  \i(e"—Uenpral  Orders,  No.  135,  May  4M,  18-47. 


214 


HISTORY     OF     TlfE 


reduced  in  nuniLers,  or  to  continue  in  tlie  position 
he  then  occupied,  and  await  the  ariival  of  the  ten 
regiments  of  regulars  authorized  by  Congress  to  he 
enlisted.  lie  determined  to  adopt  the  latter  course. 
Notwithstanding  the  strenuous  exertions  used  by 
the  President,  and  those  memljers  of  Congress  favor- 
able to  the  ten  regiment  bill,  to  enforce  its  prompt 
passage,  it  was  greatly  delayed  by  those  who  were 
opposed  to  the  bill  altogether,  and  by  (jthers,  who 
preferred  raising  volunteers,*  a  description  of  troops 
which  were  not  as  acceptable  as  regulai's,  to  either 
General  Scott  or  General  Ta^^or. 

The  adoption  of  regulaticas  to  enforce  contribu- 
tions from  the  Mexicans,  was  ordered  by  the  Presi- 
dent in  March,  1847,  by  the  establishra*.,ut  of  a  tai-iff 
of  duties  at  the  Mexican  ports.  This  system  was 
far  from  furnishing  the  necessary  sum  of  money  for 
the  use  of  the  army ;  and  as  no  very  considerable 
amount  of  provisions  could  be  forced  from  the  Mex- 
icans in  the  interior,  +hey  were  generally  purchased 
from  them.  General  Scott,  from  the  fact  of  his  not 
receiving,  through  the  Quai-termaster's  department, 
the  necessary  remittances  of  money,  anticii)ated  that 
large  contributions  were  expected  from  the  Mexi- 
cans, by  the  Cal)inet,  and  addressed  rather  a  sharp 
note  to  the  War  Department.f 


*  Consircssioniil  Globe,  29tli  Congress. 

f  "  If  ii  is  to  be  cypcrtod  at  Wnsliington,  as  is  now  apprehended,  that 
this  army  is  to  support  itself  by  forced  contributions  levied  upon  the  coun- 
try, we  may  ruin  and  exasperate  the  inhabitants  and  starve  ourselves ;  for 
it  is  certain  they  would  sooner  remove  or  destroy  the  products  of  their 
farms,  than  allow  them  to  full  into  our  hands  without  compensation.  Not 
a  ration  for  man  or  horse  would  bo  brought  in,  except  by  the  bayonet, 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION. 


215 


While  the  headquarters  of  General  Scott  were 
still  at  Jalapa,  Mr.  N.  P.  Trist  arrived  in  Mexico  as 
the  agent  of  the  United  States,  to  negotiate  terms 
with  the  Mexicans.  Although  the  proj)riety  of  ap 
pointing  a  commissioner  from  the  United  States, 
had  ])een  suggested  by  General  Scott  in  his  letter  of 
April  5th,  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  still,  the  selec- 
tion of  Ml'.  Trist  as  that  commissioner  was  perfectly 
unjustifiable.  He  neither  possessed  the  aljility,  nor 
held  the  position  requisite  for  the  office  to  which  he 
was  appointed.  He  was  vain  and  conceited,  with- 
out possessing  that  judgment  which  the  occasion 
required.  He  was  simply  a  clerk  in  the  State  De- 
partment ;  scarcely  known  in  the  city  of  Washing- 
ton, and  of  whose  existence  the  Mexicans  were  per- 
fectly ignorant.  No  reason  can  be  assigned  for  his 
selection  by  Mr.  Buchanan,  unless,  indeed,  as  was 
sujiposed,  the  Secretary  was  anxious  to  appropriate 
all  the  eclat,  resulting  frt>m  the  conclusion  of  a 
treaty  of  peace,  to  the  State  Department.  An  indi- 
vidual should  have  been  selected,  Avhose  standing  in 
this  country  would  not  only  be  a  guarantee  <>{  his 
ability  to  enter  upon  a  delicate  negotiation,  but 
whose  modesty  and  good  sense  would  have  avoided 
any  collision  Avith  the  officers  in  command  of  our 
army.  As  it  was,  Mr.  Ti'ist  hiul  scarcely  touched  his 
foot  upon  the  soil  of  Mexico,  1  )efore  he  1  )ecame  involv- 
ed in  a  warm  controversy  with  the  Commander-in- 


whkh  would  oblige  the  troops  to  spread  tliemselves  out  mnny  learjiies  to 
tiie  risjlit  and  left,  in  search  of  siihsistence,  and  to  stop  all  military  opora- 
tiono." — Dispatch  of  General  Scntl  to  tite  War  Deparlmi.nl,  May  20lh, 
1847. 


.JASPKll  J.IJUIARY, 
O  111  ail!  Marc]i  1.1834, 

iiisfi  Aim-.  ::i>)i  inr^T. 


210 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


chief.  It  Avas  due  tc  General  Scott  that  a  full  ex- 
planation should  have  been  given  him,  with  regard 
to  the  mission,  hy  the  kttate  Department,  especially 
when  he  supposed  that  the  confidence  of  the  admin- 
istration had  been  ^vitlidrawn  from  him.  His  feel- 
ings were  pretty  clearly  indicated  in  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Trist,*  which  produced  a  response  from  that  per- 
son.f  However  objectionable  may  have  been  the 
language  of  General  Scott,  when  addressing  the  ac- 
credited agent  of  the  Government,  the  response  of 
Mr.  Trist  is  equally  liable  to  condemnation.  Both 
communications  were  calculated  to  widen  the  breach, 
and  greatly  to  militate  against  the  public  sernce. 
Mr.  Trist  continued  A\'ith  the  army  until  he,  finally, 
in  transcending  liis  orders  after  the  city  of  Mexico 
was  captured,  lost  the  confidence  of  the  Cabinet  at 
Wasliinjton,  and  General  Scott  Avas  not  alone  in  the 
estimation  which  he  had  placed  upon  his  character. 
Santa  Anna  after  his  defeat  at  Cerro  Gordo,  in- 
stead of  returning  at  once  to  the  city  of  Mexico, 
retired  in  the  direction  of  Orizaba,  where  he  was 
making  great  exertions  to  rally  his  scattered  forces. 


V 


*  "  I  see  that  tlie  Socretnry  of  War  proposes  to  degrade  me,  by  requir- 
ing that  I,  th«  commnnder  of  tliis  army,  shall  defer  to  you,  the  chief  clerk 
of  the  Department  of  State,  the  question  of  continuing  or  discontinuing 
hostMeii."—Iji'liernf  General  Smfi  to  Mr.  Trist,  nth  of  May,  1815. 

t  "  You  will  now,  sir,  I  trust,  understand,  when  the  communication  re- 
ferred to  shall  ajraln  bo  placed  in  your  hands,  that  greatly  deficient  in  wis- 
dom as  the  present  (and  indeed  any  democratic)  administration  of  the 
Government  must  necessarily  be,  it  has  not,  in  this  particular  instance, 
fallen  into  so  egregious  a  blunder  as  to  make  the  transmission  and  delivery 
of  that  communication  dependent  upon  the  amiable  atfability  and  gracious 
condescension  of  General  Winfield  Scott." — Letter  of  Mr.  Tritt  to 
General  Scott,  May  9//i,  1847. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


!17 


At  this  time  Anaya  was  acting  President  of  Mex- 
ico. His  administration  was  resolved  to  continue 
the  contest,  notwithstanding  tlie  rej>eated  disa-sters 
which  had  overwhelmed  t]je  ^Mexican  forces. 

On  the  8th  of  May  General  Worth  commenced 
his  march  from  Perote  along  the  high  road  to  Pu- 
ebla,  where  he  arrived  on  the  liith  of  May,  and 
took  possession  of  that  city,*  On  the  11th  of  May 
General  Scott  issued  a  celebrated  proclamation  to 
the  Mexican  nation.f  On  the  19th  of  May,  Santa 
Anna  entered  the  city  of  Mexico,  where  his  recep- 
tion was  by  no  means  flattering  to  his  vanity.  He 
nevertheless  assumed  the  duties  of  the  Presidency, 
and  employed  all  his  influence  in  j»rocuring  a  re- 

*  The  terms  which  were  granted  by  General  Worth  to  the  anthoritiea 
of  Piiebla  did  not  meet  the  approbation  of  the  Cominander-in-chier.  An 
issue  was  raised  between  those  two  officers  which  prodoced  a  Court  of 
Inquiry,  over  which  Quitman  presided,  which  sni^ained  the  opinion  of 
General  Scott  as  to  the  impolicy  of  the  terms  granu^l  by  Worth. 

f  "  Considerations  of  high  policy  and  of  continental  American  inter- 
ests precipitated  events,  in  spite  of  the  circumi^pection  of  the  Cabinet  at 
Washington.  This  Cabinet,  ardently  desiring  to  terminate  all  differences 
with  Mexico,  spared  no  efforts  compatible  with  honor  and  dignity.  It 
cherished  tht.  most  flattering  hopes  of  attaining  (his  end  by  frank  expla- 
nations and  reasonings,  addressed  to  the  judgment  and  prudence  of  the 
virtuous  and  patriotic  Government  of  General  Herrera.  An  unexpected 
misfortune  dispelled  these  hopes,  and  closed  cverj-  avenne  to  an  honorable 
adjustment.  Your  now  Government  ilisregarded  yonr  national  interests, 
as  well  as  those  of  continental  America,  and  yielded,  moreover,  to  foreign 
influences  the  most  opposed  to  those  interests— the  mort  fatal  to  the  future 
of  Mexican  liberty,  and  of  that  republican  cystem  which  the  United  .States 
holds  it  a  duty  to  preserve  and  to  protect.  Duty,  honor,  and  dignify  placed 
us  under  the  necessity  of  not  losing  a  season,  of  which  the  monarchical 
party  was  fast  taking  advantage.  As  not  a  moment  was  to  he  lost,  we 
acted  with  a  promptness  and  decision  suited  to  the  urgency  of  the  case, 
in  order  to  avoid  a  complication  of  interppts  whirh  mi^t  render  our  rela- 
tions more  difficult  and  involved." — Proclamalion  of  General  Scott  to  the 
Mexicans,  May  Xlth,  1847. 


T 


218 


niSTOEY    OF   jrtna: 


election  to  that  office.  Pl■epan^ti^rtl^  ihf  fhe  defence 
of  the  city  were  progressiug  mth  ivvnwderable  en- 
erg}',  the  fortifications  were  rejmiv'ft.  and  recruits 
for  the  army  were  olatained  ^^^.Hl  ;til  diligence 
These  events  did  not  withdi'uw  tli»  ttYenfion  of  the 
Mexicans  from  the  internal  coumuti4\n»  which  dis- 
tracted and.  di\aded  theu'  couuciit;.  ;m<i  which  the 
danger  to  be  apprehended  from  -iW  JCsmerican  army 
could  not  allay,  and  on  the  t'Kii  .vf  ]ifay,  Santa 
Anna  resigned  the  Pi'esideuc\ .  Ulii^-  resignation 
not  being  immediately  accepted  i-l<^  iSih  Mexican 
Congress,  it  was  withdrawn  ou  "tht- JJtl  of  lune.  It 
was  supposed  by  the  Americauti.  iihm  fhe  «<tate  of 
anarchy  and  disorder  which  pre\tili»fi'  in  the  city, 
would  result  in  the  election  of  li  ^i^esid^nt  who 
would  enter  into  negotiationt.  Ulluf  WvW  cei-tainly 
the  opinion  of  General  Scott* 

Notwithstanding  the  waul  ul'  i^ftft'iotiHm  upon 
the  part  of  the  Mexicanf-,  (jreuettiJ  Hh»ntt.  did  not 
deem  himself  in  a  condition  tv  \iit^>r  ftdvantage  of 
it,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  uuiui'M'  af  tvoops  with 
which  he  lauded  at  Vera  (S'rxnc  liiuli  been  gi'eatly 
diminished.f     One  thousand  uum  vwm  left  in  hos- 

*  "The  delay  here  nntil  about  the  2!Jd  mflimy.  hflwcver,  be  com- 
pensated by  one  important  advanlajre.  G<-'u^r4!  ■♦sw***  Vrma  1ms  rononnced 
the  Presidency  (see  his  printed  letter  lierewjU},  [ii*  undpTstood  that  a 
new  Government  will  be  installed  on  tljf  litii  ;>»»f;,  •■ynd  there  is  good 
ground  to  hope  under  Herrera  or  Trias,  Iwtii  mmi^iptt  to  lx»  desirnns  of 
peace  with  the  United  States.  If  we  wtf  ^r^i»m}y  to  orciipy  the 
capital,  Uie  friends  of  peace  (most  of  tlie  itwriw-  if  fh*  p«rfy  belong  to 
the  capital)  would  be  dispersed  ;  or  if  they  tfiuiUMt  rfKt  ornjnnized  imder 
our  colors,  their  Government  would  be  it^uuuuv^  i»n<  Wried  r»s  set  up 
by  their  army,  and  lose  all  credit  and  weijjiit  v,iU  \if  \Tfrviran  people." 

t  "  Makuig  the  further  deductiout  of  U^  ;#IW  ajid  wounded,  the 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


219 


pital  at  VofTA  Crnz,  the  same  number  sick  and 
wouuded  at  Jakjxi,  200  sick  at  Perote,  and  on  the 
sick  ivpuit  at  Paehla,  1,017.  Making  a  deduc- 
ti(^n  of  xh*i  kiMcrfl  and  wounded,  and  the  garrisons 
at  \'<:'ja  ('rw(.  '  lapa,  and  Perote,  there  were  only 
left  under  iii*  ^fymrnand  on  the  4th  of  June,  5,820 
eflfective  H'jiffiMr.'yirirtmi.-tsioned  officers,  artificers,  musi- 
cians, and  privatfs. 

The  tr<y<>j)»4  which  now  began  to  arrive  at  Vera 
Ci'oz  wejx;  ^-attly  harassed  on  their  route  to  the 
headi^uajli'r'r*  <yf  (ieneral  Scott  by  the  guerilleros 
who  infotitxl  Ithft'  line  of  march ;  and  each  detach- 
ment wa*f  ifm-idA  to  fight  its  way  through  those 
bandis  of  uMi^T-^^  who  contended  for  plunder  more 
than  from  a  iflcri^ire  to  drive  the  Americans  from 
their  s<»iL  'flu'r  frommands  of  Colonel  M'Intosli  and 
Cadwalaid^r-r  wi-rWr  followed  by  the  division  under 
Major  Q<--in.-r^  PTIIow.  The  combined  forces  ajn-ived 
at  Pu<'bla  *m  thfr  8th  of  July,  increasing  the  force 
to  l<i,<>0<.'  im'Ti. 

B<4or<-  itbi*?  tt(ifi\i«K  took  up  their  line  of  march 
from  Pu<-5vlLa  im  tlie  city  of  Mexico,  a  reconciliation, 
ap]>arenth-  mtcf^c.,  had  taken  place  between  Gene- 
ral  iSoott  aincl   Mr,  Trist.*      Dreading  the  conse- 

garriwiu(=  of  %'»»»  C.nviL  Jalapn,  and  Perote,  and  we  have  here  but  6,800 
eflV'ctiv*'  imii-o'jnu«(i««ir>ni»d  officers,  artificers,  musicianH,  and  privates  ;  a 
forcj^  e\  id«iiliy  prtrttiffirienf  to  (jnrrison  this  larjje  open  city,  and  to  march 
upon  rlit-  (atnitalL  «t»iw.  or  near  it,  we  may  probably  have  to  beat  an  in- 
differeut  aruir  «(  fimiiv  li.DOO  to  25,000  men.  This  we  could  do  with 
4.W0.  but  «t  «  IWi»,  probably,  of  one  fonrth  of  our  numbiirs ;  whereas, 
with  Sy-OO.  tiwr  ft<>i»»  -wnnlfl  not  exceed  some  300." — Dhpalch  of  (iemral 
ScoV  to  fli^  H^f.-nritni  nf  tfir,  June  ■llh.  1847,  Executive  Documents,  \st 
sesfuiii  W<ii  O^iif^t,  f)nr..   Vo.  fiO,  p.  793. 

*  ■■  AhUyujflti  ifaUy  in  expectation  of  something  of  special  interest  to 


•rASPKR  I.IJUIAHV, 

<>i'i:airi  MarcJi  1.1^54, 
Iiist'.i   Ajn*.  :>i»'i  in37. 


220 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


quences  which  might  result  from  the  ill  feeling  ex- 
isting Ijetween  the  Commander-in-chief  and  the 
American  commissioner,  Mr.  Buchanan  addressed 
Mr.  Trist  on  the  lith  of  June,  urging  him  to  effect 
a  reconciliation  with  General  Scott,*  and  on  the 
31st  of  May,  the  Secretary  of  War  wrote  to  Gene- 
ral Scott,  explaining  at  length  the  ol)ject  of  Mr. 
Trist's  mission.f  These  communications  from  Wash- 
ington could  not  have  had  the  effect  of  producing 
amicable  relations  between  the  two  high  American 
functionaries  in  Mexico,  and,  therefoi-e,  this  rather 
unexpected  fraternization  must  be  attriljutable  to 
some  other  cause,  llie  world,  however,  is  still  left 
in  doubt  as  to  the  influences  which  produced,  so 
suddenly,  familiar  and  friendly  intercourse  l)etween 
gentlemen  who  so  recently  had  employed  phrases, 
when  addressing  each  other,  which  were  not  calcu- 
lated to  exalt  the  character  of  either.  At  the 
same  fime  the  Department  of  State  cannot  be  held 

communicate,  nothing  has  occurred  of  that  character  save  a  happy  change 
in  my  relations,  both  official  and  private,  with  Mr.  Trist.  Since  about 
the  26th  ult.,  our  intercourse  has  been  frequent  and  cordial ;  and  1  have 
found  him  able,  discreet,  courteous,  and  amiable." — Dispatch  of  General 
Scott  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  July  25//i,  1847. 

*  "  Whilst  our  armies  are  in  the  country  of  the  enemy,  and  our  Min- 
ister of  peace  is  at  the  headquarters  of  the  commanding  general,  this  is 
no  time  for  personal  altercations  between  them,  if  these  cim  possibly  be 
avoided.  Under  such  circumstances,  the  greater  the  sacrifice  of  private 
griefs,  however  well  founded,  which  you  may  make  upon  the  altar  of 
your  country,  the  more  will  this  redound  to  your  honor  hereafter." — Sec- 
retary of  State  to  Mr.  Trist,  June  \4th,  1847. 

f  "  Such  information  you  would  have  received  had  Mr.  Trist  delivered 
in  per.ion,  as  I  did  not  doubt  he  would,  my  letter  to  you  of  the  14th  inst., 
[ultimo,]  with  the  dispatch  from  the  State  Department  to  the  Me.\ican 
Minister  of  Foreign  Relations." — Letter  of  Mr.  Marcy  to  General  Scott, 
May  31s/,  1847. 


0 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION. 


221 


^.3&. 


entirely  blanielesH  for  intrusting  ho  important  a 
mission  to  a  peivson  who  incuri'tnl  the  danger  of  a 
disastrous  ])reach  hetween  himself  and  the  Com-, 
mander-in-chief,  by  not  complying  to  the  letter  with 
tlie  wishes  of  the  Cabinet,  as  indicated  in  the  lettei 
of  the  Secretary  of  War  of  the  31st  of  May. 

A  communication  which  had  been  transmitted 
by  Ml'.  Trist  to  the  Mexican  Government  through 
the  British  legation  was  responded  to  by  Senor 
Ibarra  on  the  22d  of  June.  That  the  Mexican  Go- 
vernment was  not  dispensed  to  accept  propositions 
of  peace,  was  evident  from  the  fact  that  the  com- 
munication of  Mr.  Trist  was  to  })e  referred  to  the 
Mexican  Congress,  and  the  only  i-ecoui^se  left  was  to 
advance  upon  the  city.  On  the  7th,  8th,  9th  and 
10th,  the  American  troops  took  up  their  line  of 
march.  The  enterprise  which  the  American  forces 
had  now  undertaken  was  exceedingly  hazardous; 
they  had  not  only  to  assail  positions  which  had 
been  rendered  fonnidalde  by  nature,  and  made  still 
more  so  by  art,  but  they  were  advancing  into  the 
heart  of  a'  wealthy  and  populous  country,  where,  if 
the  people  had  rallied  en  masse,  inevitable  destruc- 
tion must  have  awaited  them. 

The  principally  travelled  route  from  Puebla  lies 
through  a  highly  cultivated  country,  until  it  reaches 
San  Martin  Tesmalucan.  From  thence  to  Rio  Frio, 
the  face  of  the  country  is  more  precipitous  and 
broken,  and  a  few  miles  from  the  latter  point  the 
highway  descends  into  the  valley  of  Mexico.  When 
the  American  troops  had  arrived  at  this  point,  they 
saw  spread  out  beneath  them  cultivated  fields  and 


Van' 


y. 


4^- 


OOQ 


11  I  8  T  O  K  Y      OF     THE 


benutiful  villagt'S.  Their  eyes  took  in  the  countiy, 
which  hail  bet'ii  rendered  celebrated  by  the  tri- 
umphs of  the  Spaniards  under  Cortes,  and  their 
footsteps  were  al)out  to  press  the  same  soil  over 
which  his  victorious  legions  passed  into  the  city  of 
tli(^  A/tecs.  The  descendants  of  those  Spaniards 
Avhose  ])rowess  enabled  them  to  seize  the  possessions 
of  the  native  ])rinces,  w  ere  themselves  about  to  be 
forced,  by  an  iron  destiny  and  an  inexorable  fate,  to 
submit  to  the  northern  conqueroi-s.  The  army  en- 
tered the  valley  on  the  lOth  of  August,  and  the 
heaihpiai'ters  of  the  Conimander-hi-chief  Avere  fixed 
at  Ayotla. 

An  extraordinary  energy  seemed  to  have  taken 
possession  of  the  Mexican  troops,  and  a  determina- 
tion to  i-esist  to  the  last  extremity  appeared  to  go- 
vern them  all.  Those  ])erson8  Avho  had  iiitherto 
been  anxious  for  the  estaldishment  of  peace,  now 
hesitated  to  utter  their  sentiments,  and  all  seemed 
determined  to  vindicate  the  liouor  of  their  country. 
Fortifications  were  repaired,  cannon  were  cast,  and 
powder  was  manufactured  Avith  great  industry.  It 
was  believed  that  one  severe  repulse  sustained  by 
the  Amei'ican  troops,  would  destroy  that  prestige 
with  which  rej)eated  victories  had  encircled  the 
American  arms.  The  plan  of  operations  adopted 
by  Santa  Anna,  was  to  await  the  attack  of  the 
Americans  in  his  intrenchments,  while  the  army  of 
the  north  under  General  Valencia,  composed  of  the 
flower  of  the  Mexican  troops,  was  ordered  to  assail 
the  invaders  in  the  rear.  The  first  barrier  to  the 
advance  of  General  Scott  was  the  trul|S(ft)rmidable 


POLK     ADMINISTn ATION, 


223 


position  of  El  Pcfion.  Tliia  was  a  lofty  liill,  strongly 
foi-tific'd,  and  commanded  the  great  thoroiighfai-e 
leading  to  the  city.  On  the  soutliern  line  of  the 
city  were  the  foitifications  of  Mexicalcingo,  San 
Antonio,  the  convent,  and.  the  hiidge  of  Chunilaw- 
co.  Its  southwestern  side  was  defended  l)y  tht;  for- 
tress of  Cha|)ultepec.  Tlie  north,  from  whence  no 
dung(T  of  attack  could  he  ai)j)rehended,  was  oidy 
prot(!cted  hy  three  garitas ;  while  the  eastei-n  jjai-t, 
where  it  was  supposed  the  Americans  would  make 
the  most  formidable  demonstration,  was  defended 
by  El  Peficm.  On  the  9th  of  August  the  brigade 
of  Genei-al  I^tjon,  from  the  midst  of  the  enthusiastic 
and  confident  populace  of  the  city,  took  their  de- 
partun^  tor  the  ])urpose  of  covering  that  fortifica- 
tion. Santa  Anna  himself  visited  it  for  the  pur- 
pose of  giving  his  final  orders  for  its  defence. 

On  the  12th  and  13th  of  August,  a  daring  and 
suc(;essful  reconnoisance  of  El  Penon  wa*i  eU'ected 
by  a  (hitachment  from  the  American  army.  It  was 
ascertained  that  although  El  Pefion  might  be  taken, 
yet  it  could  be  done  only  at  a  great  sacrifice  ;  it  was 
therefore  determined,  instead  of  storming  this  posi- 
tion, to  march  along  the  high  road  which  I'uns  be- 
tween Lake  Chalco  and  Lake  Tezcuco,  and  pass 
around  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Chalco,  and 
thus  attack  the  city  from  the  south,  instead  of  tlie 
east.  The  credit  of  discovering  this  route,  is  claimed 
by  General  Scott  as  having  been  made  by  him,  long 
before  he  reached  the  valley  of  Mexico,*  while  it  is 

*  "  Those  difficulties,  closely  viewed,  throw  me  back  upon  the  pro- 
ject, lonpr    iitertninod,  of  turning  the  strong  eastern  defences  of  the  city, 


•JASPKll  I.IJ^llARV, 

Iiist<i  Ar-:;  i:^^^  ia.17. 


224 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


contt'tuk'd  hy  otliers,  that  before  the  Huccessful  re- 
coniioismice  of  Colonel  Duncan,  General  Scott  had 
determined  to  advance  with  the  main  portion  of  his 
arni}-,  by  Mexicalcingo,  and  that  the  ordei-s  for  that 
l)ur]>()se,  which  he  had  issued,  were  only  counter- 
manded after  Duncan  had  proved  the  fesisibility  of 
pasising  along  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Chalco.* 
It  is  (juite  prol>a}>le  that  the  inquiring  mind  of  Ge- 
neral Scott  had  ascertained  the  fact,  that  there  was 
a  route  around  Lake  Chalco.  This  is  very  far  fi-om 
being  an  improbable  supposition,  when  Ave  recollect 
that  the  Conniiander-in-chief  brought  all  the  re- 
sources of  his  great  experience,  and  a  profound 
knowh'dge  of  his  ])rofession,  into  action  during  this 
cani])aign.  Penetrating  into  the  heart  of  the  ene- 
my's country,  with  comparatively  a  small  body  of 
men,  and  surrounded  on  all  sides,  by  a  nation  of 
foes,  no  one  will  doubt,  who  is  acquainted  with 
the  character  of  General  Scott,  that  he  availed  him- 

hy  paPRing  around,  south  oi  Lake  Chalco  and  Jochimilco,  at  the  foot  of 
the  hilis  and  mountains,  so  as  to  reach  this  point,  and  hence  to  manmuvre 
on  hard  5,'rnniid,  though  much  broken,  to  the  south  and  soutliwest  of  the 
capital,  which  has  been  more  or  less  under  our  view  since  the  10th  in- 
stant."— Report  of  General  Scott  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  August  19, 
1847. 

*  "  In  the  mean  time,  no  reconnoisance  had  been  made  over  the 
southern  route,  by  Americon  officers,  and  it  is  highly  probable  that  none 
would  liiive  ever  been  made,  had  not  Lieutenant-Colonel  Duncan,  who 
was  intimate  at  Worth's  headquarters,  and  whose  views  in  relation  to  the 
proposed  operations  fully  coincided  with  those  of  that  General,  volun- 
teered to  make  a  reconnoisance  on  the  following  day."  "  With  a  letter 
from  Worth,  inclosing  his  written  report,  and  recommending  the  change, 
Duncan  proceeded  on  the  evening  of  the  14th  to  Ayotla,  and  the  effect  of 
his  information  was,  that  the  orders  issued  in  the  morning  were  counter- 
monded." — Ripley's  History  of  the  War  wilh  Mexico,  vol.  2,  pp.  191 
and  201. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


225 


self  of  every  opixntunity  to  acquire  iuforination  as 
to  the  vuluerable  point  in  the  fortifications  that  de- 
fended the  city.  That  General  Scott  may  not  have 
been  accjuainted  with  the  ah-solute  femibllity  of 
turning  Lake  Chalco,  until  after  the  reconnoisance 
under  Colonel  Duncan,  is  very  likely,  and  he  may 
have  held  the  aiiny  in  readiness  to  march  by  Mex- 
icalcingo.  The  great  error  General  Scott  coniL^.it- 
ted,  was  in  not  giving  to  CoJonel  Duncan  the  credit 
which  was  due  him  for  that  reconnoisance,  which 
eual)led  the  array  to  reach  the  city  without  either 
storming  El  Penon,  or  passing  beneath  its  guns. 

While  t'ne  Mexicans  Avere  expecting  to  repulse 
the  American  army  under  the  walls  of  El  Penon, 
their  confidence  wjis  somewhat  shaken  when  they 
ascertained  that  Worth's  division,  followed  by  the 
whole  army,  was  advancing  upon  Contreras.  Tliis 
movement  was  commenced  on  the  15tli,  and  Gene- 
ral Twiggs,  with  the  rear  guard,  left  Ayotla  on  the 
16th,  having  delayed  his  march  until  that  time  to 
induce  the  Mexicans  to  believe  that  he  intended  to 
attack  El  Penon,  or  fall  upon  Mexicalcingo.*  The 
town  of  Contreras  is  situated  upon  a  Avide  and  con- 
venient thoroughfare  leading  to  the  city  of  Mexico ; 
here  was  stationed  the  flower  of  the  Mexican  army 
under  General  Valencia,  one  of  the  most  despe- 
rately brave  of  the  Mexican  chieftains,  who  was 
determined  to  dispute  the  advance  of  the  Ameri- 
cans at  all  hazards.  The  position  which  he  had 
taken  did  not  meet  the  approbation  of  Santa  Anna, 

•  Report  of  General  Scott  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  April  19th, 
1849. 

is 


^     > 


< 


;: 


226 


UI8T0RY     OF     THE 


who  ordered  him  to  retreat  to  Coyoacan  and 
Cburubusco,  which  command  he  refused  to  obey, 
and  the  Mexican  General-in-chief  left  him  to  his 
fate*  * 


*  "  On  the  18th,  General  Santa  Anna  ordered  Valencia,  that  early  in 
the  next  day  he  ehould  march  with  his  force  to  Coyoacan,  and  send  for- 
ward his  artillery  tfj  Chnriibiisco.  This  disposition  arose  from  the  opinion 
he  had  that  oti  the  Hith  the  enemy  would  attack  the  fortification  of  Son 
Antonio. 

"  In  answer  to  him.  General  Valencia,  notwithstanding  what  he  had 
expressed  in  his  firt^t  n<itc,  was  inconsistent  by  refusing  to  abandoi?  the 
point  which  before  had  \x:cn  pronounced  ii.defensible. 

"General  Santa  Anna,  then,  not  oppoaing  furthfr  than  to  note  tha 
discrepancy  lictween  the  first  and  second  communications  of  General 
Valencia,  aj^eed  that  he  should  remain  in  the  position  occupied,  and  only 
declaring,  as  he  sai<l  afterward,  that  he  woukl  leave  Valencia  to  act  on 
his  own  refp-insibility. 

"  The  advices  which,  from  the  beginning  of  the  action,  he  had  sent 
to  General  I'erez  and  Santa  Anna,  he  now  repeated  in  view  of  the  immi- 
nent danger  which  mcr  "cd  us. 

"  The  beat  for  the  return  of  General  Perez,  was  struck  three  times, 
and  (leneml  Sunia  Anna  remained  immovable  with  his  division,  whose 
presence  had  made  the  enemy  to  hesitate,  and  Geneial  Scott  to  fear  for 
the  issue  of  the  \)ttf'.\c.  But  Santa  Anna  did  nothing  to  pass  by  the  road 
when  it  was  porislble,  and  the  belief  was  universal  that  he  wis- hod  to 
surround  with  his  division  and  ours  the  enemy's  forces,  ttnd  accomplish 
in  tills  manner  their  defeat. 

"  During  all  the  time  of  this  inexplicable  immobility  of  the  forces  of 
Santa  Anna,  the  firing  was  going  on  in  various  directions. 

"  In  fact,  after  this  firing,  (Jcneral  Santa  Anna  descended  from  the 
Olviar,  mid  his  company  in  chorus  threw,  what  his  presence  gave  license 
to,  the  blame  of  the  defeat  upfin  the  intuliordinate  Valencia.  The  troops 
t\.A  were  with  General  Santa  Annn  withdrew  by  his  order,  leaving  Va- 
lencia surrounded  on  al!  sides,  and  going  f,  Irxlge  at  San  Angel." — Mex- 
ican Ilisloi-ij  <if  the  War  with  Mexico,  o.  J72-6-C-7. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


227 


CHAPTER  IX. 


BaltU  of  Contreras.  —  Worth's  division  storms  San  Antonio. —  Vtctory  of 
Cfiuruliutco. — Armistice  granted. — Negotiations  broken  off. — Sanguinary 
b&ttle  of  Molina  del  Key. — Storming  of  Chaputlej/ec. — Surrender  cf  the 
city. — Santa  Anna  resigns  the  Presidency. — Attacks  Colonel  Childs  at 
Piiebla  — Major  Lally  forces  his  way  from  Vera  Cruz  to  Jalapa. — He  is 
joined  by  General  Lane  with  2,500  men. — Bal'le  of  Iluamnntla. — Powera 
invested  in  Mr.  Trist  revokeQ. — Contributions  exacted. — Treaty  concluded 
by  Mr.  Trial. — General  Scott  recalled. — General  Butler  appointed  to  ihe 
command  of  the  army. — Treaty  of  Gaudnloupe  Hidalgo. — Americans 
evacuate  Mexico. — The  army  of  the  United  Slates. — Territory  acquired 
from  Mexico  — Its  value. 

Pillow's  division  was  ordered  to  make  a  practica- 
ble road  for  heavy  artillery,  and  Twiggs'  division 
was  ordered  to  cover  that  operation.  By  three 
o'clock  on  the  19th,  the  men  eigaged  in  making 
t}ie  new  road,  came  under  the  fire  of  a  very  heavy 
park  of  artillery,  which  was  advantageously  posted 
to  clieck  their  operations.  This  battery  was  sup- 
yK>rte(l  by  large  bodies  of  infantry  and  cavalry. 
The  divisions  of  Pillow  and  Twiggs  advanced  for 
the  purpose  of  storming  this  formidable  battery. 
This  movement  was  met  l)y  a  tei-ril>le  fire  fi-om  the 
enemy's  intrenchments.  Not  only  did  the  heavy 
artillery,  which  lined  the  hills,  send  its  iron  hail 
into  tie  ranks  of  the  Americans,  but  the  heavy 
colunms  of  infantry  with  great  gallantry  defended 
that  position.  For  three  houre  the  battle  raged 
furiously,  and  when  nighc  set  in  the  Americans  had 


228 


H  1 8  T  O  K  Y     OF     THE 


made  no  inpression  upon  the  Mexican  lines.  Noth- 
ing could  surpass  the  obstinacy  with  which  the 
Mexicans  held  to  their  position,  and  not  all  the 
gallantry  of  the  Americans  could  drive  them  "•')n: 
it.  General  Scott,  discovering  that  large  bodie  •,[ 
troops  were  advancing  from  the  city,  ordered  tlie 
ir)th  regiment,  under  Colonel  Morgan,  to  occupy 
Contreras.  Colonel  Riley  wiis  at  the  time  on  the 
enemy's  left,  while  the  brigade  under  the  command 
of  General  Shields  was  ordered  to  support  Colonel 
Morgan. 

It  was  now  dark,  and  the  cold  and  chilling  rain 
fell  in  torrents.  Without  fires  and  with  no  tents  to 
protect  them  from  the  tempest,  many  of  the  regi- 
ments without  food,  the  officers  wandering  about  in 
search  of  each  other,  the  obstinate  fury  with  which 
the  battle  had  been  disputed,  all  had  a  tendency  to 
cast  a  temporary  gloom  over  the  army.  But  the 
glorious  results  of  the  next  day  proved  that  the 
confidence  of  the  troops  in  their  innncibility  wjis 
not  chaken.  The  morning  of  the  20th  of  August 
found  the  brigades  of  Shields,  Smith,  Cadwalader, 
Riley,  and  Morgan's  regiment  around  the  haci"r?'^a 
of  Contreras.  Worth  was  ordered  to  marcl  vitVi 
one  of  his  bngades  to  mask  San  Antonio,  and  witn 
the  other  to  advance  rpon  Contreras.  Similar 
orders  were  given  to  General  Quitman,  and  the 
combined  forces  were  to  be  concentrated  upon  the 
battle  field.  The  plan  of  the  attack,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  defeat  of  the  enemy,  was  arranjyed  by 
General  Smith.  At  three  o'clock  in  ^^L?  morning, 
the  movement  commenced,  tiiey  bciiii:  in  thv   ad- 


t0V 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


229 


vance.  After  surmounting  many  difficulties  he 
gained  the  enemy's  rear,  and  with  irresistible  im- 
petuosity, stormed  their  intrenchments.  The  bri- 
gade under  Colonel  Ransom,  composed  of  the  9th 
regiment  and  companies  from  the  3d  and  12th,  with 
the  rifles,  a:  riving  at  the  same  moment,  attacked 
the  Mexicans  with  terrible  eftect,  while  the  brigade 
under  Shields  poured  a  destructive  fire  upon  the 
enemy  during  their  retreat. 

The  results  of  this  brilliant  victot-y  were  a  loss 
upon  the  part  of  the  enemy,  of  700  killed,  813 
prisoners,  83  officere,  4  generals,  and  22  pieces  of 
brass  ordnance.  The  battle  was  won  before  the 
arrival  of  the  division  under  Worth  and  Quitman ; 
the  former  general  was  directed  to  assail  San  An- 
tonio in  front,  as  soon  as  the  di\asi()ns  under  Pillow 
and  Twiggs  should  attack  it  in  the  i-ear.  Tlie  battle 
now  raged  along  the  whole  line.*  Worth  stormed 
the  intrenchments  at  San  Antonio,  and  continued  to 
advance  until  he  met  Pillow,  who,  ascertaining  that 
San  Antonio  had  been  taken,  turned  to  the  left  for 
the  purpose  of  attacking  Churubusco.  Here  almost 
the  entire  Mexican  force,  amounting  to  more  than 
20,000  men,  commanded  by  Santa  Anna  in  pei-sctn, 
rallied  for  a  last  desperate  stand.  Tlie  Americans, 
flushed  with  victory,  advanced  to  the  attack  with 
great  ardor.  The  position  was  hemmed  in  and  fiiii- 
ously  assaulted  by  portions  of  Worth's,  Twiggs',  and 
Pillows'  divisions,  and  was  carried  at  the  point  of 


iT' 


f 

*  Report  of  Goneral  Scott  to  tlio  Wnr  Department,  August  28tli, 
1848. 

.rASPKli   J.IJiUAllV, 

Oi::aii'!  Marcli  1.1^,14, 

^^^ 

I Hst«.i  Ai  -. ::"  1  i.'MT. 

230 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


the  bayonet.  The  next  position  to  attack  was  the 
'"^  tvent,  which,  after  a  long  and  desperate  defence, 
surrendered  by  the  garrison. 
This  was  a  brilliant  day  for  the  American  trfx>p9. 
Victory  after  victory  was  won,  and  one  jKj.sition 
after  another  fell  into  their  hands ;  and  without 
striking  another  blow,  they  might  have  entered  the 
capital  in  triumph,  and  thus  put  an  end  to  the  wai  .* 
Future  events  proved  the  error  which  was  com  in?  t- 
ted  in  granting  an  armistice.  The  Mexicans  w  ere 
determined  to  resist  to  the  last,  and  nothing  liut 
reducing  them  to  extremity,  and  subduing  their 
pride  by  the  capture  of  the  city  of  Mexico,  would 
force  them  to  agree  to  terms.  The  history  of  that 
country  from  the  time  of  the  invasion  under  Cortes, 
proves  that  the  possession  of  the  city  decides  the 
fate  of  Mexico.  The  revolutions,  whether  l)]cx>d- 
less  or  produced  at  the  point  of  tlie  bayonet,  have 
never   been  signal  until   the    metropolis   yielded. 

*  "  After  so  many  victories,  we  might,  with  but  little  additional  Iobb,  iiave 
occupied  the  capital  the  same  eveninj.  But  Mr.  Trist,  commifgjonpr, 
&c.,  as  well  as  myself,  had  been  admonished  by  the  best  friends  of  peace 
— intelligent  neutrals  and  some  American  residents — against  precipitation, 
lest  by  wantonly  driving  away  the  government  and  others — dishonored — 
we  might  scatter  the  elements  of  peace,  excite  a  spirit  of  national  despera- 
tion, and  thus  indefinitely  postpone  the  hope  of  acrommodntion.  Deeply 
impressed  witli  this  danger,  and  remembering  our  mission — to  conijucr  a 
peace — the  army  very  cheerfully  sacrificed  to  patriotism,  to  the  great  wi«h 
and  want  of  our  country,  the  eclat  that  would  have  followed  an  entrance, 
sword  in  hand,  into  a  great  capital.  Willing  to  leave  something  to  this 
republic — of  no  immediate  value  to  us — on  which  to  rest  her  pride,  and  to 
recover  temper,  I  halted  our  victorious  corps  at  the  gates  of  the  city,  (at 
least  for  a  time,)  and  have  them  now  cantoned  in  the  neighlxiring  village*, 
where  they  are  well  sheltered  and  supplied  with  all  necessaries," — Rejttrrl 
of  General  Scoll  to  the  War  DepnrlmevI,  Aiif(usl  28lh,  1847,  Volume 
2,  ExKcnihe  Documents,  \st  session  30//i  Congress. 


ii»||iJii|WIJ| 


POLK     ADMINISTKATIOX. 


231 


Wherever  the  pronunciamento  was  Ls^^necl,  the  capi- 
tal was  the  point  upon  which  tlie  «Ui4affected  con- 
centrated, and  its  fall  alone  terminated  the  struggle. 

To  prove  that  the  pride  of  the  ^Mexican  people 
had  not  yet  been  Ijroken,  we  have  only  to  refer  to 
the  events  which  preceded  the  annistice,  when 
Santa  Anna  was  fearful  of  ha\-ing  it  known  that  he 
had  taken  the  initiative.  On  the  morning  of  the 
21st  General  Scott  offered  to  sign  an  armistice,  con- 
taining a  pledge  upon  the  pai  t  of  the  Mexicans  to 
enter  at  once  into  the  negotiations  for  peace,  while 
Santa  Anna  proposed  a  truce.  The  latter  proposi- 
tion was  rejected,  and  commlssionens  were  appointed 
on  the  22d ;  the  armistice  wjls  signed  on  the  23d 
and  ratified  on  the  24th.  The  fin>t  article  provided 
for  the  absolute  suspension  of  hr^stilities  l)etween 
the  two  armies  within  30  leagues  of  the  city  of 
Mexico,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  commis- 
sionei-s  to  open  negotiations.  The  third  article  pro- 
vided that  the  arniLstico  should  continue  while  those 
commissioners  were  eng;ige<l  in  negotiations,  or  imtil 
the  armistice  was  broken  off  ujk^ii  a  notice  of  48 
hours.  The  fourth  article  stated  that  neitlier  army 
should  be  reinforced. 

As  little  faith  could  be  placed  in  the  promises 
of  the  enemy.  General  Scott  was  strr^ngly  urged  by 
some  of  his  generals  to  make  the  surrender  of  Cha- 
pultepec  a  guarantee  of  their  gfK>d  faitli ;  l)ut  to 
this  proposition  the  Ivlexicans  would  not  agree.* 

*  "  Oerural  Orders,  )  "  Heaikjuap.tep.s  w  the  Armv,  ) 

iVo.  262.      \  Tacubava,  Amrml  -liih,  1817.      S 

"  The  lollowing  military  convention  is  piiblii^hcd  for  the  information 
ond  strict  government  of  the  American  army,  'As  retainers  and  followers. 


232 


niBTOEy    Of  uira 


Tlie  commissioners  of  the  ■twi>  ])fnvf  i--^  met  on  the 
27th  of  Augtpt,  ls47.  h  ii^  (iUnhtful  whether 
Santa  Anna  agi-eed  in  goutl  liirti  Cr>  open  negotia- 

Any  infraction  of  one  or  more  of  the  »rutit»-'if'  the  s»M  convention  shall 
be  followed  by  rigorous  puiiisliment. 

"Tiie  undersiffned  appoiiiteti  rei<pe«tiv<ii-.-K*>fb»»<«» first  by  Major  Ge- 
neral VVintield  Scott,  Coimnauiior-iu-ctii«^  if,  rftm  nftnira  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  two  last  by  iiis  E.\ceLleucy  ;V  Vwfnnio  f/ipez  do  Santa 
Anna,  President  of  the  Mexican  K^pubix  aW'r'.tinm.indpr-in-rhief  of  its 
armies,  met  with  full  powere.  which  viwre  m>i/}\/t<f\fii>t^.  in  the  villa^  of 
Tacubaya,  on  the  22d  day  "f  Aujrust.  Ibt^ .^h.-WfTintn  an  armistice,  for 
the  purpose  of  giving  the  Mexican  {ii>\'^ruut'>*rrt  onporfimify  of  receiv- 
ing propositiins  for  peace,  from  the  conujJMhwi^^r  rippointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  I'nited  States,  and  now  wjtii  Uo  Vrh^rtran  army,  when  the 
following  aficles  were  agreed  u|(on  : 

■'  Apt.  1.  Hostilities  shall  inst;intly  awJ  i»*ioi/»»fpfy  cease  between  the 
armies  of  the  United  States  of  Aiiierjca  iii«(rfff^  ftriitert  Mexican  States, 
within  thirty  leagues  of  the  capital  of  ti*e  i)ai>r  *»tes,  to  allow  time  to 
the  commissioner  appointed  by  tin.'  l)Wi*$l:^H4par  ;,n(i  the  commissioners 
to  be  appointed  by  the  Mexican  ItepubLi<  .1*  j^rf^itintp. 

"  Art.  2.  This  armistice  shall  couliniu'  la-  trrtij  .to  the  commissioners 
of  the  two  Governments  may  be  ait&fnf  »  r*»3oH»»ion«,  or  until  the 
commander  of  either  of  tlic  said  ariuwf  -ftWl  ^ve  formal  notice  to  the 
other  of  the  cessation  of  the  ariuiglice,,!u*i:i(ri«fry.r»i(Tht  hours  after  such 
notice. 

"  Art.  3.  In  the  mean  time,  neitiit'r  aiw  -itwH,  ^vithin  thirty  leagues 
of  the  city  of  Mexico.  coHunenw  any  i»t*<  Wrfitiratinn  or  military  work 
of  offence  or  defence,  or  do  any  tliiiij:  >u  iftUt'tt"  nr  -trenijthpn  any  exist- 
ing work  or  fortification  of  that  cli«n*«l»*r  *<ii|iiMtlt^!<f)id  limits. 

"  Art.  4.  Neither  army  sliall  U'  reiidittv^  \rifhin  the  same.  Any 
reinforcements  in  triKips  or  munilioii.'-  o'  Wi*:  (tloT  than  subsistence  now 
approaching  either  army,  siiiill  hi-  cini'pwi  »''hf  iffstance  of  at  least  twen- 
ty-eight leagues  from  the  city  of  i/Lesn^v. 

"  Art.  5.  Neither  army,  nor  any  ikUfitimn:  frttm  it,  shall  advance  be- 
yond the  line  it  at  present  occupien. 

"Art.  fi.  Neither  artiiy.  imr  miy  lifiittMmtt  rtr  individual  of  either, 
shall  pass  the  neutral  limits  establi^liwl  »♦;  )<^  lant  article,  except  under 
flags  of  truce  bearing  tho  rorrc-pinKlem*  wwvvn  the  two  armies,  or  on 
the  business  authorized  by  the  next  »rti<ii»' •.!»*♦  irtrfividnals  of  either  army 
who  may  chance  to  straggle  within  tlif'  liwfs)  limits  ->hall,  by  the  oppo- 
site party,  be  kindly  warned  ofi.  or  s-eu'  Ur^^rhtlwir  own  army  under  flags 
of  truce. 


fOLK     ADMIXISTRATION, 


233 


tionft,  or  i^ht^her  he.  designed  to  take  advantage  of 
tUe  mi^i0^tm(m  of  hostilities,  for  tHe  purpose  of 
Btrengtb*tiiBiii^  the   defences  of  the   city.     By  the 

"Ajkt-  7-  Tlte-  American  anny  shall  not  by  violence  obstrmt  the 
pas8»gf  innxi  niii^  ripsn  r.o\intry  into  the  city  of  Mexico,  of  the  (irdiiiary 
Buppliei;  'A  ifjijt  flUfJWiwiry  to  the  consumption  of  its  inhabitants,  or  the 
Mexican  ftruiy  »i(diin  thft  city  ;  nor  shall  the  Mexican  authorities,  civil  or 
military,  do  vAtx  w.r  ro  nhsfrnct  the  passage  of  supplies  from  the  city  or  the 
couuirj-  iit)ti<W  \\v  rhft  American  army. 

"  At/j.  %.  Ml  Amftrican  prisoners  of  war  remaining  in  the  hands  of 
the  Mexioan  ^miy.  4T»rt  not  heretofore  exchanged,  shall  immediately,  or  as 
soon  at  pn»iAi«»\(t*,  lv»  restored  to  the  American  army  against  a  like  num- 
ber (\m\i.uji  J^Burt  to  rank.)  of  the  Mexican  prisoners  captured  by  the 
American  araij, 

"  Akt.  «.    *  «  *  *     [Omitted.]     (See  Mexican  ratification.) 

"  Akt.  3  'A.  Thft  b»fter  to  enable  the  belligerent  armies  to  execute  these 
artidcF.  au<l  V.^  iwctr  ths  »reat  object  of  peace,  it  is  further  agreed  between 
tlie  partiff.  Mka  mj  r.oiirier  with  dispatches  that  either  army  shall  desire 
to  send  ukio^  idin-  Kni»  from  the  city  of  Mexico  or  its  vicinity  to  and  from 
Vera  Critz.  diai!!!  Wftisivft  a  safe  conduct  from  the  commander  of  the  oppo- 
sing amiy, 

"AsT.  11-  Thi»  administration  of  justice  between  Mexicans,  accord- 
ing to  tbp  fpwrrvl  and  atite  constitutions  and  laws,  by  the  local  authori- 
ties of  tb^  ViWtti*  «vt  places  occupied  by  the  American  forces,  shall  not 
be  obKtnKA»i<  m  *Tiy  manner. 

"  Aet.  Hi.  (Vrtona  and  property  shall  be  respected  in  the  towns  and 
plawf^  (.icciijiiMl  hy  f.hft  American  forces.  No  person  shall  be  molested  in 
tbe  exertiaf  .i<(!  Itu»  profession ;  nor  shall  the  services  of  any  one  be  re- 
quired tkjtilKiUt  im  consent.  In  all  cases  where  services  are  voluntarily 
rendered,  a  .im««  fyAc(^  shall  he  paid,  and  trade  remain  unmolested. 

'•  Akt.  JB  Those  wonnded  prisoners  who  may  desire  to  remove  to 
BoiiM-  ui'.ir*'  »i',o>jf»nienf  pl.ice  for  the  purpose  of  being  cured  of  their 
wouudf^.  Hiiati  ^  allowed  to  do  so  without  molestation — they  still  remain- 
ing priw-ijoePR. 

"  Akt.  1  ft  THiw*  Wexican  medical  officers  who  may  wish  to  attend  the 
wounded  frtmlSl  liinm  the  privilege  of  doing  so,  if  their  services  te  required. 

"  A  t:T  5  5  F'-'f  the  more  perfect  execution  of  this  agreement,  two 
commii*Hi(jti»ir»  »hnll  he  appointed — one  by  each  party — who,  in  case  of 
di8agr«em>nif..  ♦i^aJT  appoint  a  third. 

"  Ar.j.  3^  Tliirt  convention  shall  have  no  force  or  eiTect  iinle.^s  an- 
proved  Uj  tlrnsr  »«/'.ftU«»ncies  the  commanders  respectively  of  the  two  armies, 


% 


-J  ASPl.K   1.13yH  AllY, 

^>i'u .111  !  >f  ai'cJi  1 .  i'>,l*i  y 


234 


niSTOBY     OF     THE 


terms  of  a  treaty  which  had  been  furnished  Mr, 
Trist  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  the  boundary  of 
the  two  countries  was  to  be  the  Kio  Grande,  the 

within  twenty-lour  hours,  reckoning  from  6  o'clock,  A.  M.,  of  the  22d 

day  of  August,  1847. 

"J.  A.  QUITMAN, 

Major  General  U.  S.  A. 
"PERSIFER  F.  SMITH, 

Brevet  Brigadier  General  U.  S.  A. 
"  FRANKLIN  PIERCE, 

Brigadier  General  U.  S.  A. 
"  IGNACIO  DE  MORA  Y.  VILLAMIL. 
"  BENITO  QUIJANO." 

"  Headquartees  of  the  Army  of  the  U.  S.  of  America,  ) 
Tacubata,  August  23rf,  1847.  J 
"  Considered,  approved,  and  ratified  with  tlie  express  understanding  that 
the  word  '  supplies,'  as  used  the  second  time,  and  without  qualification,  in 
the  seventh  article  of  this  military  convention  (American  copy),  shall  be 
taken  to  mean — as  in  both  the  British  and  American  armies — arms,  am- 
munition, clothing,  equipments,  subsistence  (for  men),  forage,  money,  and 
in  general  all  the  wants  of  an  army.  That  the  word  supplies  in  the  Mex- 
ican copy  is  erroneously  translated  '  viveres'  instead  of  recursos. 

"WINFIELD  SCOTT, 
General-in-chief  U.  S.  Army." 

"  Palacio  Nacional  de  Mexico, 
August  Mth,  1847. 
"  Ratificado,  suprimicndose,  el  articulo  9"  y  con  esplication  del  4°  en 
el  sentido  de  que  la  paz  temporal  de  este  armiticio  se  observara  en  la  capital 
y  veinte  ocholiguas  al  rededor ;  convenido  en  quela  palabra  supplies  se 
traduzca,  recursos,  y  que  en  ella  se  comprenda  lo  que  pueda.  Haba 
menester  el  ejercito,  escepto  armas  y  municiones. 

"  ANTONIO  LOPEZ  DE  SANTA  ANNA." 

"  Headquarters  of  the  Army  of  the  U.  S.  of  America,  ) 
Tacubaya,  Au^MS<  24(A,  1847.      S 
"I  accept  and  ratify  the  foregoing  qualifications  added  by  the  President 

General  of  the  Mexican  Republic. 

"WINFIELD  SCOTT. 
"  By  command  of  Major  General  Scott. 

"  H.  L.  SCOTT,  A.  A.  A.  General." 
Executive  Documents,  1st  sessioniOth  Congress,  vol.  2,  p.  356. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


235 


undisputed  title  of  the  United  States  to  the  State 
of  Texas,  and  the  cession  by  Mexico,  of  Upper  and 
Lower  California.  New  Mexico  was  to  he  guaran- 
teed n])on  the  payment  of  a  sum  which  was  to  be 
the  subject  of  negotiation. 

To  neither  of  these  j)ropositions  were  the  Mexi- 
cans disposed  to  agree.*  Negotiation  was  pro- 
tracted for  several  days,  without  any  prosjject  of 
producing  a  favoral>le  result,  and  it  was  ai)parent 
that  the  contest  would  have  to  be  decided  by  the 
ar])itrament  of  the  sword.  On  the  Gth  of  Septem- 
ber, a  note  was  addressed  by  General  Scott  to  the 
Mexican  General-in-chief,  complaining  of  the  viola- 
tion of  several  articles  of  the  armistice,f  which  pro- 

*   "  HEADQUAnXERS   OF   THE    ArmV   OF   THE    UNITED   RtATES  ) 

OF  America,  Tacubava,  Spptrmlifr  6,  1847.      S 
"  To  his  Excellency  llw  I'resuktil  and  Covimander-in-chief  tflhe  Mexican 

Republic. 
"  Sir  :  The  seventh  Article,  aw  al8o  the  twelfth,  that  stipulates  that 
trade  shall  remain  nnmolested— of  the  armistice  or  military  convention, 
which  I  had  the  lionor  to  ratify  and  to  cxciiange  with  your  Excellency, 
the  24th  ultimo,  has  been  repeatedly  violated,  beginning  soon  after  date, 
on  the  part  of  Mexico ;  and  now  I  have  good  reason  to  believe,  that,  within 
the  last,  forty-eight  hours,  if  not  earlier,  the  third  article  of  that  convention 
has  beeh  equally  violated  by  the  same  party. 

"  Those  direct  breaches  of  faith  give  to  this  army  the  most  perfect  right 
to  resume  hostilities  against  Mexico,  without  any  notice  whatever;  but  to 
afford  time  for  possible  explanation,  apology,  and  reparation,  I  now  give 
formal  notice,  that  unless  full  satisfaction  on  these  allegations  should  be 
received  by  me,  before  12  o'clock,  meridian,  to-morrow,  I  shall  consider 
the  said  armistice  at  an  end,  from  and  after  that  hour. 

"  I  liave  the  honor  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  ob't  serv't. 

"  WINFIELD  SCOTT." 

t  "  But  I  shall  desist  offering  apologies,  because  I  cannot  be  blind 
to  the  truth,  that  the  true  cause  of  the  threats  of  renewing  hostili- 
ties,  contained  in  the  note  of  your  Excellency,  is,  that  I  have  not  been 


236 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


tluced  a  response  from  Santa  Anna,  the  conclusit)n 
of  whicli  very  nearly  amounted  to  a  threat*  Ne- 
gotiations were  broken  off,  and  hostilities  were  re- 
willing  to  B\gn  ntrcnty  which  would  lessen  considerably  not  only  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  republic,  but  that  dignity  and  integrity  which  all  nations  de- 
fend to  the  last  extremity.  And  if  those  considerations  have  not  the 
same  weight  in  the  mind  of  your  Kxcellency,  tiie  responsibility  before  the 
world,  who  can  easily  distinguish  on  whose  side  is  moderation  and  Justice, 
will  fall  upon  you. 

"  I  flatter  myself  that  your  Excellency  will  be  convinced,  on  calm  re- 
flection, of  the  weight  of  my  reasons.  But  if,  by  misfortune,  you  should 
seek  only  a  pretext  to  deprive  the  first  city  of  the  American  continent  of 
an  opportunity  to  free  the  unarmed  population  of  the  horrors  of  war,  there 
will  be  left  me  no  other  means  of  saving  them  but  to  repel  force  by  force, 
with  the  decision  and  energy  which  my  high  obligations  impose  upon  me. 

"  I  have  tlie  honor  to  be  your  Excellency's  very  obedient  servant, 
"ANTONIO  LOPEZ  DE  SANTA  ANNA. 

"  A  true  copy  of  the  original, — SIexico,  September  7, 1847. 

"  JOSE  DE  ROMERO." 
Executive  Documents,  \st  session  30th  Congress,  vol.  i,  p.  261. 


*  COUNTER  PROJECT  SUBMITTED  TO  MR.  TRIST  BY 
THE  MEXICAN  COMMISSIONERS. 

"  Ist.  There  shall  be  firm  and  universal  peace  between  the  United 
States  of  America  and  the  Mexican  Republic,  and  their  respective  terri- 
tories, cities,  towns,  and  villages,  not  excepting  persons  or  places. 

"  2d.  All  the  prisoners  of  war  n^  ade  on  either  side,  whether  by  sea  or 
land,  shall  be  role."."<><l  iriimpfH.iteiy  afler  the  signing  of  the  present  treaty. 
It  is  also  agreed,  that  if  any  Mexicans  are  now  captives  in  the  power  of 
any  Indian  tribe  within  the  limits  ceded  by  the  4th  article  to  the  United 
States,  the  Government  of  the  said  United  States  shall  exact  their  release, 
and  that  they  be  restored  to  liberty  and  to  their  homes  in  Mexico. 

"  3d.  Immediately  after  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  this  treaty, 
all  the  forts,  places,  and  possessions,  which  may  have  been  taken  or  occu- 
pied during  this  present  war,  within  the  limits  fixed  by  the  4th  article  for 
this  Republic,  shall  be  restored  to  the  Mexican  Republic.  In  like  manner 
shall  be  restored  the  artillery,  arms,  and  ammunition  tliat  were  in  all  the 
castles  and  strongholds  when  they  fell  into  the  power  of  the  troops  of  the 
United  States.  With  respect  to  the  artillery  taken  outside  of  the  said 
castles  and  fortified  places,  that  which  is  still  in  the  power  of  the  United 


POLK     ADMINISTKATIOif, 


237 


Huiiit'd,  At  this  time,  the  effective  force  of  General 
Scott  was  not  (^uite  9,000  men;  and  with  this  foire 
an  attempt  was  to  be  made  to  take  the  city,  after 

StatPri  tronpfi  shall  bo  returned  to  Mexico  at  the  date  of  the  xigning  of  the 
pri'Ki'iit  treaty. 

"  llh.  The  dividing  line  between  the  two  KcpubiicM  bhall  commence  in 
the  CiiiKof  Mexico,  three  leagues  from  land,  opposite  the  nouthcrn  month 
of  the  bay  of  (^rpiiH  ChriHti,  flhall  run  in  a  straight  line  from  within  the 
Mid  bay  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  Nueces,  thence  through  the  middle  of 
that  river,  in  all  its  course,  to  its  source ;  from  the  source  of  tlio  river 
Nueces  shall  be  traced  a  straight  line  until  it  meets  the  present  frontier 
of  New  Mexico,  on  the  east-southeast  side :  it  shall  then  follow  the  pre- 
sent boundary  of  New  Mexico  on  the  east,  north,  and  west,  until  thi„  last 
touches  the  37th  degree,  which  will  serve  as  a  limit  for  both  Republics 
from  the  point  in  which  it  touches  the  said  frontier  of  the  west  of  New 
Mexico  to  the  I'acific  Ocean.  The  Government  of  Mexico  promises  not 
to  found  any  new  settlements  or  establish  colonies  in  the  tract  of  land 
which  remains  between  the  river  Nueces  and  the  Bravo  del  Norte. 

"  6th.  As  a  just  compensation  for  the  extension  of  llioir  old  limits, 
which  the  United  States  acquire  by  the  previous  article,  the  Government 
of  the  said  United  States  is  bound  to  pay  over  to  the  Republic  of  Mexico 
the  sum  of ,  which  shall  be  placed  in  the  city  of  Mexico  at  the  dis- 
posal of  the  said  Government  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  in  the  act  of  ex- 
changing the  ratifications  of  this  treaty. 

"  6th.  The  Government  of  the  United  States  is  further  bound  to  take 
apon  itself,  and  satisfy  fully,  the  claimants  to  all  the  instalments  which 
are  due  up  to  this  time,  and  may  become  due  in  futtire,  by  reason  of  the 
claims  now  liquidated  and  decided  against  the  Mexican  Republic,  agreea- 
bly to  the  conventions  arranged  between  the  two  Republics  on  the  1 1th  of 
April,  1839,  ami  30th  of  January,  1843,  in  such  manner  that  the  Mexican 
Republic  shall  have  absolutely  no  further  payment  to  make  on  account  of 
said  claims. 

"  7th,  The  Government  of  the  United  States  is  also  bound  to  take 
upon  itse'f,  and  pay  fully,  all  the  claims  of  its  own  citizens,  not  yet  de- 
cided against  the  Mexican  Republic,  whatever  may  be  the  title  or  motive 
from  which  they  may  proceed,  or  on  which  they  are  founded  :  so  that 
from  the  date  of  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  the  present  treaty, 
the  accounts  of  every  kind  that  exist,  or  may  be  supposed  to  exist,  be- 
tween the  Government  of  Mexico  and  the  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
ahali  remain  settled  definitely  and  for  ever. 

"  8th.  In  order  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  may  be  able 


Origan*?  MarcJi  1.  in54, 
li\si'\  Apr.  ::»>•«  1B57. 


238 


HISTOnV     OF     THE 


the  IMexicans  had  had  more  than  two  weeks  to  pre- 
pare for  itrt  dt'toiice,  and  to  recover  from  the  dwniay 
produced  by  the  victories  of  Coutreras  and  Churu- 

to  satisfy,  in  obaervancc  of  t)ie  previous  article,  the  claims  not  yet  decided, 
of  its  citizens  against  the  Mexican  Republic,  there  shall  be  established  by 
the  Government  of  the  said  United  States  a  tribunal  of  commissioners, 
whose  decision  shall  be  conclusive  and  definitive :  provided  that,  in  de- 
ciding on  the  validity  of  any  demand,  it  may  lie  adjusted  by  the  princip'' 
and  rules  which  were  established  in  the  articles  Ist  and  6th  of  the  < 
vcntioii  (not  ratified)  which  was  concluded  in  Mexico  on  the  20tl 
Novemiior,  1843,  and  in  no  case  shall  a  decision  be  given  in  favor  of  any 
claim  which  is  not  adjusted  pursuant  to  the  aforesaid  rules.  If  the  tri- 
bunal of  commissioners  deem  it  necessary  for  the  just  decision  of  any 
demand  to  examine  books,  registers,  or  documents,  which  are  in  the 
power  of  the  Mexican  Government,  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
shall  make  apjilication  for  them,  and  either  the  originals  or  faithful  copies 
sh?JI  be  sent  to  it  for  the  purpose  of  being,  as  they  muy,  communicated  to 
the  said  tribunal :  it  being  understood  that  there  shall  not  be  made  by  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  any  application  for  the  said  bfx)ks, 
registers,  or  documents,  until  it  shall  be  specified  in  each  case  under 
oatli,  or  with  judicial  sanction  on  the  part  of  the  claimant  in  the  case,  the 
facts  sought  to  be  proved  with  such  books,  registers,  or  documents. 

"  9th.  All  the  temples,  houses,  and  edifices,  dedicated  to  the  rites  or 
exercises  of  the  Catholic  worship,  in  territories  belonging  hitherto  to  the 
Mexican  Republic,  and  which,  by  the  4th  article  of  this  treaty,  will  be 
within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  shall  remain  dedicated  to  the  same 
rites  and  exercises  of  the  Catholic  religion,  without  any  change,  and 
under  the  special  protection  of  the  laws.  The  same  shall  be  the  case 
with  all  property,  movable  and  immovable,  which,  within  the  said  terri- 
tories, is  dedicated  to  the  support  of  the  Catholic  worship,  or  the  support 
of  schools,  hospitals,  and  other  establishments  of  charity  or  benevolence. 
Finally,  the  relations  and  communications  of  the  Catholics,  living  in  the 
same  territories  with  their  respective  ecclesiastical  authorities,  shall  be 
frank,  free,  and  without  any  embarrassment,  even  though  the  said  autho- 
rities have  their  residence  within  the  limits  which  remain  subject  to  the 
Mexican  Republic  in  this  treaty ;  nor  shall  there  be  any  demarkition  of 
ecclesiastical  districts,  except  conformably  to  the  laws  of  the  Catholic 
Church. 

"  10th.  The  Mexicans  residing  in  territory  heretofore  belonging  to 
Mexico,  and  now  in  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  may  at  any  time  re- 
turn to  the  Mexican  Republic,  preserving  in  the  said  territory  the  property 


POLK     ADMINI8TKATION. 


239 


busco.  The  closing  scenes  of  the  war  were  re- 
opened by  the  sanguinary  battle  of  Molino  del 
Key.     On  the  7th,  a  reconnoisance  was  made  in  the 

they  poHscss;  may  transfer  and  convoy  its  vnluo  wherever  it  siiitH  tiioni, 
witlioiit,  nn  this  account,  being  lial)le  to  tlio  exaction,  by  the  United 
States,  of  any  kind  of  contribution,  tax,  or  impost.  If  tlm  |)ersonH  liere 
treated  of  prefer  to  remain  in  the  territories  they  now  iiliabit,  they  may 
preserve  tlio  title  and  riglits  of  Mexican  citizens,  or  at  once  acquire  the 
title  and  rigiits  of  citizens  of  the  United  States,  if  they  wisli  it.  ]iut  in 
all  cases  they  and  their  projjcrty  tihall  enjoy  the  most  ample  security. 

"  1 1th.  All  the  grants  of  lands  made  by  Mexican  authorities  in  terri- 
tories belonging  heretofore  to  the  Republic,  and  by  this  treaty  to  be  for 
the  future  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  valid  and  per- 
manent, and  shall  be  sustained  and  guarded  for  ever  by  the  Government 
of  the  said  United  States. 

"  12th.  The  Republic  of  the  United  States  promises  solemnly,  not  t( 
permit  hereafter  the  annexation  of  any  district  or  territory,  cniuprehciided 
in  the  limits  which,  by  the  present  treaty,  are  assigned  to  the  Mexican 
Republic,  This  solemn  agreement  has  the  character  of  a  condition  from 
the  territorial  cessions  which  Mexico  noiv  makes  to  the  Republic  of 
North  America. 

"  13lh.  All  goods  now  in  the  Mexicar  ports  occupied  by  the  North 
American  troops,  shall  pay  the  duties  estr.olished  by  tlie  tariff  of  tlie  Mex- 
ican Republic,  provided  they  have  not  before  paid  duties  to  tliat  Republic ; 
but  they  shall  not  incur  the  penalty  of  confiscation. 

"  14th.  The  Government  of  thr  United  States  shall  satisfy,  according 
to  just  terms,  the  claims  of  Afcxican  citizens  for  the  injury  sustained  in 
their  affairs  by  the  North  American  troops. 

"  15th.  The  present  treaty  shall  be  ratified,"  &c. 


NOTE  WHICH  ACCOMPANIED  THE  COUNTER  PROJECT. 

"  To  his  Excellency,  Senor  D.  Nicholas  P.  Trist,  Commissioner,  with  full 
poteers,  of  Ike  Goremment  qf  the  United  States,  near  the  Government  of  the 
Republic  of  Mexico. 

"House  of  Alfaro,  at  Chapultepec,  Sept.  6,  1847. 
"  The  undersigned,  commissioners  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  to  form 
with  you  an  agreement  of  peace,  placing  in  your  hands  the  counter  jrro- 
jet  which  they  have  formed  in  accordance  with  the  last  instructions  of 
their  Government,  deem  it  opportune  to  accompany  it  with  the  observa- 
tions which  this  note  contains,  which  will  serve  to  show  more  clearly  the 


'  '    UIIUHUIllWinilJipi  JUfmi-       I     I   -IMIll^H.liqU'lll^ 


240 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


vicinity  of  ChajMiltepec,  under  the  eye  of  the  Com- 
miui(U'i'-iu-chief,  which  resuiied  in  obtaining  a  fair 
observation  of  tlie  configuration  of  the  gi'ounds,  Imt 
with<iut  placing  in  the  possession  of  the  reconuoiter- 

pacifir  (lUpoMJiion  of  Mexico  in  the  contest  which  unfortunately  divides 
both  coiiiitrieti. 

"  Arlicin  4th  of  the  projet,  which  you  were  pleased  to  deliver  to  us 
on  the  pvoiiint;  of  tiie  27th  ultimo,  and  which  was  discussed  at  our  pre- 
vious conferences,  imports  the  cession  of  part  of  Mexico.  1st.  The 
State  of  Texas ;  2d.  Of  the  territory  without  iiic  limits  of  the  daid  State, 
which  fxtcridH  to  the  Ifft  bank  of  the  Bravo  ind  to  the  southern  boundary 
of  New  .Mexico  ;  3d.  All  Nuw  Mexico ;  4th.  Of  the  two  C  liifornias. 

'•  The  war  which  ii  •*  exists  has  been  caused  solely  on  iccount  of  the 
territory  of  the  .State  of  Texas,  to  which  the  Republic  of  I  orth  America 
prescntM  an  a  title,  the  act  of  the  same  State  by  which  it  annexed  itself  to 
the  North  American  confederacy,  after  having  proclaimed  its  indepen- 
dence of  .Mexico.  The  Mexican  Republic  agreeing,  (as  we  have  mani- 
fested to  you  that  it  does,)  on  account  of  the  owing  indemnity,  to  the 
pr  ""'I'lims  of  the  Government  at  Washington  to  the  territory  of  Texas, 
the  caiiHo  of  the  war  has  disappeared,  and  it  should  cease,  since  all  the 
reasons  for  continuing  it  has  ceased  to  exist.  In  regard  to  the  other 
tcrritoric '  comprehended  in  (he  4th  article  of  your  projel,  until  now  the 
Repiililic  of  North  America  ha?  i.rged  no  claim,  nor  did  we  believe  it 
posKiblf  <hat  any  could  be  alleged.  It  then  could  not  acquire  them  but 
by  rifjlil  !■('  c.it\v\nvr-\,  or  by  that  which  would  result  from  sale  or  cession, 
to  wliicli  it  woiilil  now  force  Mexico,  But  as  we  are  persuaded  that  the 
Republic  i)f  Wnshinjrton  would  not  only  absolutely  repel,  but  would  hold 
in  odiiiin  tlif!  firnt  of  these  titles,  and  as,  on  the  other  hand,  it  would  be 
a  ni'w  tliiiii;  that  war  should  be  made  upon  a  people  for  the  simple 
reufori  tliiit  it  refuses  to  sell  a  territory  which  its  neighbor  wishes  to 
purciiiinc;  we  hope,  from  tlin  justice  of  the  Government  and  people  of 
Niirtli  AtiK'rica,  that  the  great  modification  which  we  have  to  propose  of 
tho  cvmirn  of  territory  (without  the  State  of  Texas)  which  is  claimed 
in  the  i^aiil  jirticle  4th,  will  not  be  considered  a  motive  for  continuing  a 
war  wliiili  the  worthy  general  of  the  North  American  forces  as  justly 
characlorizcd  as  unnmrnim  (desnaturalizada). 

"  In  ofir  conferences  we  have  declared  to  you  that  Mexico  cannot 
cede  iIk"  licit  of  land  comprehended  between  the  left  bank  of  the  Bravo 
and  till-  riflit  of  the  Nueces.  The  reason  of  this  is  not  only  the  full 
certaitiiy  tliiit  the  stated  territory  never  has  belonged  to  the  State  of  Texas, 
nor  that  it  is  of  great  value,  considered  in  itself.    It  is  that  this  zone,  with 


POLK     ADMINI8TKATJ0N. 


241 


ing  i»arty  the  nature  of  the  defences  which  it  was  cle- 
HJgiied  to  carry.  General  Worth  was  ordered  with  his 
division,  reinforced  by  three  squadrons  of  di-agoous, 
three  j>ieces  of  field  artillery,  tAvo  battering  guns,  and 

tiifi  Rravo  at  its  back,  forms  the  natural  frontier  of  Mexico,  as  much  in  a 
military  as  in  a  commercial  point  of  view  ;  and  of  no  people  should  it  be 
claimed,  nor  should  any  people  consent  to  abandon  such  a  frontier.  But, 
in  order  to  remove  all  cause  of  dissension  for  the  future,  the  Government 
of  Mexico  binds  itself  not  to  found  new  settlements  or  establish  colonies 
in  the  space  between  the  two  rivers ;  in  tliis  manner  preserving  it  in  the 
depopulated  state  in  which  it  now  exists,  presenting  equal  security  to  both 
repnbliofl.  The  preservation  of  this  territory  is,  according  to  our  instruc- 
tions, a  condition  sine  quii  non  of  peace.  Sentiments  of  honor  and  deli- 
cacy, (which  your  noble  character  will  cause  you  to  estimate  properly,) 
more  than  a  calculation  of  interest,  prevent  our  Government  from  con- 
senting to  the  dismemberment  of  New  Mexico.  On  this  point  we  believe 
it  to  be  superfluous  to  add  any  thing  to  what  we  have  already  stated  to 
yon  in  our  conferences. 

"  The  cession  of  Lower  California,  little  profitable  to  North  America, 
offers  ((reat  enbarrassments,  considering  the  position  of  that  peninsula, 
opposite  our  coast  of  Sonora,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  the  Gulf  of 
Gortez. 

"  You  have  given  to  our  observations  on  this  subject  their  true  value, 
and  we  have  learned  with  satisfaction  that  you  have  been  convinced  by 
thern. 

"  IJesides  the  preservation  of  Lower  California  it  would  be  necessary 
for  .Mexico  to  retain  a  portion  of  the  Upper ;  ■  •herwise  that  peninsula 
would  rem.Tin  without  land  communication  with  ,ae  remainder  of  flie  Re- 
public, which  would  alwnys  be  a  great  emd  '■rsssment,  especially  for  a 
non-maritime  power,  such  as  Mexico.  The  session  of  the  part  of  Upper 
California,  offered  by  our  Government,  (for  the  compensation,)  will  not 
bring  ff)  the  United  States  merely  fertile  lands  and  intact  mineral  wealth, 
but  presents  the  advantage  of  an  uninterrupted  communication  with  its 
t/'nif«ri(!s  of  Oregon.  The  wisdom  of  the  Government  of  Washington, 
and  the  energy  of  the  American  people,  will  know  liow  to  draw  abundant 
fruits  frfiin  the  acquisition  which  we  now  offer  them. 

"In  Article  8  of  yonr prqjet,  the  concession  of  a  fn.e  passage  by  the 
IxthmiiR  of  Tehnantepec  to  the  southern  sea,  is  claimed  in  favor  of  the 
North  Americans.  We  have  verbally  stated  to  yon,  that  some  years  have 
elapsed  since  the  Government  gave  a  privilege  of  this  kind  to  a  particular 
individnai,  who  afterwards  transferred  it,  with  the  authority  of  the  same 
16 


v^^^r.^* 


c^^ 


242 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Cadwalader's  brigade,  to  storm  the  intrenchments, 
and  destroy  the  inachiiiery  and  material  which  it  was 
sup[)osed  was  in  the  foundry  El  Molino  del  Key.  It 
was  discovered  by  Captain  Mason  of  the  engineer 

Government,  to  English  subjects,  of  whose  rights  Mexico  cannot  dispose. 
You  will  not  complain,  therefore,  that  in  this  point  we  cannot  accede  to 
the  desires  of  your  Government. 

"  We  have  entered  into  this  ingenuous  explanation  of  the  motives  of 
the  Republic  for  not  ceding  all  the  territory  beyond  the  boundaries  of 
Texas,  which  is  required  of  it,  because  we  desire  that  the  Government  and 
NortI)  American  people  should  be  convinced  that  our  partial  negative  does 
not  proceed  from  sentiments  of-aversion  generated  by  the  events  of  this  war, 
or  who'  lias  caused  Mexico  to  suffer,  but  only  froiii  considerations  dic- 
tatef'.  i^y  reason  and  justice,  and  wliich  would  equally  influence  it  at  any 
time  with  the  most  friendly  people,  and  in  the  midst  of  relationj  of  the 
sirirtesit  amity.  The  other  alterations  which  you  will  find  in  our  counter 
/rrojei,  are  of  less  importance  ;  and  we  believe  that  to  them  you  will  find 
no  importjmt  objection.  The  contents  of  Article  12  have  been  already 
spoken  of  in  your  country.  We  flatter  ourselves  that  your  Government 
will  not  refuse  to  contract  an  obligation  so  conformable  to  honor,  and  to 
the  harmony  in  which  two  neighboring  people  should  live. 

"  Peace  between  the  two  countries  will  be  most  solemnly  established, 
if  a  foreign  [xiwer,  CRngland,)  which  has  in  the  present  contest  so  nobly 
interposed  its  good  o.^ces,  would  now  consent  to  guarantee  the  faithful 
observance  ol'  the  treat)  which  may  be  entered  into.  The  Government  of 
Me.'.ico  understands  tha*.  it  would  be  convenient  to  solicit  this  guarantee. 

"  Our  Government  has  commanded  us  to  recommend  to  you  that  your 
decision  upon  the  counter  ])rnjei,  which  we  have  the  honor  to  submit  to 
you,  should  be  communicated  within  three  days. 

"  The  salutary  work  of  peace  cannot,  in  our  opinion,  come  to  a  happy 
termination,  if  each  one  of  the  contending  parties  should  not  resolve  to  aban- 
don some  of  its  original  pretensions.  This  has  in  all  cases  happened,  and  all 
nations  have  not  hesitated,  in  such  cases,  to  make  great  sacrifices  to  ex- 
tinguish the  desolating  flame  of  war.  Mexico  and  the  Uniterl  States  have 
special  reasons  for  acting  in  this  manner.  Not  without  sorrow  ought  we 
to  confess,  that  we  are  giving  to  hinnanity  the  scandalous  example  of  two 
Christian  people  of  two  republics,  in  the  view  of  all  the  monarchies,  who, 
for  a  dispute  concerning  honndaries,  mutually  do  themselves  all  the  injury 
that  is  possible,  when  we  ha-n  more  land  than  is  sufficient  to  populate  and 
cultivate,  in  the  beaulifnl  hemisphere  in  which  Providence  has  cast  our 
lot.     We  venture  to  ret'omiucnd  these  considerations  to  your  Excellency, 


•tt^fm^" 


POLK     ADMINISTBATION. 


243 


corps,  by  a  reconnoisance  which  exhibited  great 
daring,  that  the  left  of  the  enemy  occupied  several 
strong  stone  buildings,  called  El  Molino  del  Rey, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  castle  of  Chapultepec,  and 
immediately  under  the  guns  of  that  celebrated  for- 
tress, while  the  right  of  his  line  rested  upon  another 
stone  building,  called  Cassa  M.tta.  Between  these 
buildings  was  the  Mexican  field  battery,  which  wjis 
defended  by  strong  columns  of  infantry;  and  as  this 
was  considered  the  vulnerable  point,  Worth  deter- 
mined t^  attack  and  carry  it*  P\)r  this  purj)ose 
Colonel  Garland's  brigade  was  ordered  to  take  po 
sition  on  the  right,  strengthem-d  by  two  j»ieces  of 
Captain  Dunn's  l)attery.  A  iiiiiig  party  of  oOO 
picked  men,  under  the  comma. i'  of  .\[aj(<r  Wiight, 
was  ordered  to  carry  the  cen+re,  while  the  wrond 
brigade,  with  Colonel  Duncan's  battery,  w  iwdirected 
to  take  position  nearly  in  front  of  the  Cassa  Mata, 
and  Cadwalader's  brigade  was  held  in  reserve.  At 
three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  assault- 
ing party  advanced  with  gi'eat  impetuosity,  and 
took  the  enemy's  battery  at  the  point  of  the  bay- 
onet; but  the  Mexicans  discovering  ])y  what  a 
small  body  of  men  they  had  been  driven  from  their 
guns,  returned  to  tlie  assault,  and  assisted  by  that 

before  you  mt.y  tako  any  definitive  resolution  on  our  propositions.     We  do 
ourselves  the  honor  to  offer  to  you  our  attention  and  respect. 

"  JOSE  JOAQUIN  DE  HERRERA, 
"BERNARDO  COUTO, 
•'  IGNACIO  MORA  Y  VILLAMIL, 
"  MKJUKF,  ATRISTAIN." 
See  Mexican  History  of  the  War  wilh  Mexico. 

*  Report  of  General  Worth,  September  10th,  1847. 


i'-mpf 


244 


HI8T0BY     OP     THE 


portion  of  the  enemy  who  were  protected  in  the 
Molino  del  Rey,  they  inflicted  a  terrible  loss  ujwn 
the  Americans.  Tlie  right  wing  of  Cadwalader's 
brigade  wag  ordered  forward  as  a  reinforcement, 
and  the  enemy  were  again  driven  from  their  guns 
with  great  slaughter.  The  battery  under  Duncan 
commenced  rapid  discharges  upon  the  enemy's  right, 
and  thr  second  brigade  under  the  command  of  CV>- 
lonel  Mcintosh,  was  ordered  to  assault  the  same 
position.  That  gallant  brigade,  composed  of  v(;te- 
rans,  whose  courage  had  been  often  tried  upon  the 
battle-field,  advanced  steadily  to  the  charge.  But, 
instead  of  finding  that  part  of  the  ground  defended 
by  a  field  battery,  they  came  at  once  in  front  of  an 
almost  impregnable  stone  citadel,  strongly  de- 
fended by  a  large  l)ody  of  Mexican  infantry,  who 
opened  upon  the  advancing  columns  an  appalling 
fire  of  musketry.  Still  the  Americans  closed  up 
their  ranks  as  fast  as  the  storm  of  Trails  swept  them 
away.  Accustomed  to  cai-nage  and  slaughter,  on- 
ward they  advanced  against  the  iron  hail,  wliich, 
without  intermission,  poured  upon  them  an  incessant 
tide  of  death,  until  they  reached  the  very  slope  of  the 
parapet  which  environed  th(;  citadel.  But  it  re<^uired 
more  than  mortal  endurance  to  withstand  the  slieet 
of  fire  which  continued  to  pour  from  the  Mexican 
lines;  and  the  soldiers  avIio  composed  that  cele- 
brated brigade,  who  upon  many  a  bloody  field  had 
established  a  character  for  invincibility,  faltered  l>e- 
fore  the  awful  flame  which  Ijlazc^l  from  the  Mexi- 
can guns.  Colonel  Si'i  >tt  was  killed,  and  Ct>lonel 
Mcintosh  and  Major  Waite  were  desperately  wound- 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


245 


ed;  and  those  hardy  veteraiw,  for  the  fii-st  time 
thi'own  into  disorder,  fell  l)Jick,  Vmt  rallied  in  the 
rear  of  Duncan's  battery.  In  the  mean  time,  Major 
Summer's  command  passed  in  front  of  the  Ciissa 
Mata,  and  within  pistol  shot  of  that  citadel,  for 
the  purpose  of  gaining  a  more  favorable  p<jsition, 
and  here  the  second  scene  of  carnage  occurred. 
Summer's  command  advanced  with  great  gallantry  ; 
but  before  they  could  pass  the  Ca<sa  ^lata,  fi\e 
officei's  and  thirty-three  soldiers  were  wounded,  six 
soldiers  were  killed,  and  twenty-seven  liorses  were 
killed,  and  seventy-seven  wounded.  Duncan's  bat- 
tery now  re-opened  its  fire  ujxm  the  Cassa  Mata, 
and  in  a  shoi-t  time  the  ^lexiwins  were  driven  from 
it.  Every  point  u[)on  the  field  was  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  Ameiicans  ;  but  the}'  had  purchased 
the  victory  by  a  sacrifice  of  life,  which  cast  a  gloom 
over  the  whole  American  army.  When  we  take 
into  consideration  the  strength  of  the  Mexican 
position,  the  numlter  of  trooj)s  which  defended  it, 
the  awful  fury  of  flu;  battle  whit-h  raged  for  two 
houi-s  before  it  w;is  carried,  and  the  hornble  slaugh- 
ter of  the  Anif  rican  trf)o[>9,  we  can  come  to  no 
other  conclusio.i,  than  that  it  was  by  far  the  most 
bloody  and  saiigniiiary  engag^'Uieiit  which  was  ever 
fought  upon  this  continent.  The  n*sults  of  the  vic- 
tory have  not  been  regarded  as  commerisu.iite 
with  the  loss  sustained  by  the  Aniencan  troops. 
There  was  no  foundry  to  be  «lestroyed,  and  to  take 
the  position,  and  then  abandon  it,  has  l»een  regarded 
as  doubtful  policy.  It  is  (piite  probable,  that  if 
Worth's  division  had  been  reinforced,  the  castle  of 


Organ;  Mai.,,j,  J    ,^^^ 


Tllsfd       \ 


*» 


I  r 


itnr 


246 


uit^roay  .vi*   thb 


Chapultepec  could  liuve  Wry  i^awly  taken  ;  bat  his 
command  when  flushed  wHIj  ^Mi-foi*)',  were  prevented 
from  reaping  a  >fub>itiuiUul  fii^inii|)h,  which  the  pos- 
session of  the  castle  would  iUuv  yielded.  As  it  was, 
the  principal  fruit*?  of  th^-  ,Mi<n>!'y  were  the  terror 
produced  in  the  i-aukt^  ol'  iip  f»neniy,  by  the  obsti- 
nate and  ii'resiwtible  imj/ttiuwit^y  of  the  American 
troops.* 

The  numbei'  of  !Me.»iJ<;tti«-  t^nt^af^ed  was  more 
than  14,000,  commanded  i«A -♦jHifa  Anna;  while  the 
Americans  engaged  did  um>tv.'ped  ;?,1()0  men.  The 
loss  of  the  ^\juericauf>  in  kilivt  ,md  wounded  amount- 
ed to  more  than  700 ;  mid  Mn4\rti|the  officers  who  lost 
their  lives  upon  this  meimntiile  Held,  were  some  of 
the  brightest  ornaments  vt'flie  nennce,  who  had 
often  escaped  death  in  tht  ;niil«t,  of  slaughter. 

General  Wt)i'th,  wh^i  **tf^  desirons  of  following 
up  his  victory  by  an  «tt«<U;  ivpon  Chapultepec,  re- 
turned to  Tacubaya  undyi  rllft  reiterated  orders  of 
the  Commander-in-chietJf 

*  "  To  set  tliif  nmtler  at  rest,  ie'  (i*'ii(»  ^nWt  that  it  \n  now  known  in 
Mexico,  that  Santa  Anna  wai-  iii  ^o^Bwim  ,if  -.,  copy  of  General  Scott's 
order  to  attacii  the  Moliiio  del  K^  a  f  tmvlionrft  after  it  was  written  ; 
and  during  tiie  wlioie  oCtiiellii,  trwwj*-  ♦v^*..  .-m  yon  ^tate,  taking  up  their 
positions  on  tliat  grouud.  It  i^  t«ei«i«v^  ilfffb^r,  that  Santa  Anna  knew 
the  precise  force  that  wa^  to  atu<y; 

"  VVIien,  tlierefore.  Scon  k-ui.«i»u«t  fIm*  Worth  would  surprise  the 
Mills  and  Cassa  Mata,  lie  waniuff  i<  *f»*t  '  Shall  the  veil  be  raised 
a  little  furtlier  ?  There  wuk  u  Irm^'mififiS  'Iifl  list  of  high  ranking  oflS- 
cers  in  the  Mexican  aruiy.  aud  im  jrt^'hw  lM«t  told  your  force.  Scott 
liad  been  betrayed  by  one  not  aii  AMMfMW,ifnt  an  officer  or  soldier,  but 
Santa  Anna  was  betrayed  by  <*ix'  if'iim  rtmi  offirers,  and  a  Mexican. 
Santa  Anna  believed  tiie  iiiU>riu»U<ft  !*»>  r»»rpivef).  and  acted  on  it. 
General  Scott  did  not  U^beve  wti»i  <>.  «wi>^  at  night,  and — the  victory 
was  won." — Sole  by  tk  A»t^tuui  UtiktTiif  ihtr  .\fpxican  History  of  the 
War  irilh  Mfjcini. 

f  "  The  second  niodilicalioii  M»triff>tMe  (>rfrfto  be  gained  as  the  result 


FOLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


247 


TliW^  *aj)Ff)f)(i»it,ioTi  that  General  Scott  entertained 
th<,-  }^fli<:f  that  Kl  Mf)lino  del  Key  could  be  easily  ta- 
keii,  cvjioW  alone  justify  an  isolated  attack  upon  that 
jxjiiit,  UfA  %f>  T*  followed  up  by  an  assault  upon  the 
cai;tJ<-  </  Chajmltepec,  because  the  result  of  the  vic- 
t<jjy  M-a#  ntA  cowimensurate  with  the  loss  sustained. 

Ji«!«3'yiiiiD('>ii^T)cea  were  made  along  the  southern 
pajt  </  thft  eity,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  gates  of  Pie- 
dad,  ^^aii  Aiiij^ftl,  San  Antonio,  and  the  Paseo  de  la 
'Sv^-dJ*  't\if.  approach  in  that  direction  was  ren- 
derexj  i-txtr*^t%(-\^  hazardous,  and  General  Scott  de- 
ternuiii(t.i(l  fji  attack  the  city  from  some  other  direc- 


of  tiw  attudk^  «u<  (^  rftaaon  for  ihe  modification  is  to  be  found  in  the  dif- 
ferent vi*v  wftittti  Worth  entertained  of  tlie  matter  from  that  of  General 
Sc'jtt.  Jl*  '<*i(i*^<»rt  that  he  was  going  to  fight  a  battle,  and  he  wished 
Bouieihojw  Twijphli*  Ati  the  fruit  of  it.  lie  believed  the  castle  of  Chnpulte- 
pec  wu«-  '.i(  jpiwtf.  imprirtancc,  and  as  it  lay  near  the  proposed  field  of  battle 
he  wishyd  ^v  ♦slAttrf  operations  to  include  its  capture.  His  order  was  ac- 
cordiiiv.';)  »<BW»it  tn  fhe  effect,  that  the  commanders  should  make  disposi- 
tioub  i'.ir  lib'-  Mwtalt  so  soon  as  the  enemy  had  been  routed  from  the  posi- 
tione  '.i(  ill*  ittit:  at  Molino  del  Rpy." 

'•  ^jt^wiriill  Cmt'lwal.ider  and  f.'nioncl  Duncan  came  down  from  Worth's 
beadijuurtw  ii<v(Vinfer  with  him  upon  the  subject;  but  as  to  the  assault 
ou  <,"impttltv»ji»i»,  Jfcort  waa  inflexiliie.  He  permitted  the  change  in  the 
time,  liu!  in  4rw.r<»d  the  two  officers  to  return  to  General  Worth,  and  give 
liiin  lii>  fi'.w  '.."j*  ■•irrters  that  he  should  on  no  account  advance  beyond  Mo- 
liiio  di'J  (t«  ;  ffliiif  hi»  shfmid  effect  the  capture  of  that  point,  break  up  the 
inachiiiwT.  ttkA  M.  nae^,  retire  into  Tacubaya.  And  Worth  modified  his 
order  u<.<j'.>rtUvaffy,"' 

'•  W'jrtiu.  iWwiwer,  was  in  the  spirit  for  battle,  and  seeing  *he  arrival 
of  fre«lj  linwi)*,  glw^  fjinnjfht  of  seizing  Chnpultepec  while  the  enemy  was 
brokeu  vnd  On^^irired,  recurred  to  him.  Riding  up  to  Pillow,  he  requested 
hiui  tv  iuv>*  liWwu  Crt  Molino  del  Rey,  to  pass  through  and  take  position 
in  the  yr'w*,  m  Dwpftmtion  to  assault  and  carry  the  castle.  Under  the 
fiMidnv  '.>^*VK>>(  rhft  fi*>neral-in-rhief  to  the  contrary,  I'illow  refused  to 
comply. ■—«y>7/.<  fUslriry  of  ihf  Mexican  IVar,  Vol.  2,  p.  363-4,  380. 

•  Iteiiyfl  f^  (fi»neral  Hcott  to  ttie  War  Department,  September  18th, 


248 


niSTOEY     OF     THE 


tion.  On  the  llth  of  September  Quitman's  divi- 
sion was  ordered  to  join  Pillow  by  daylight,  south 
of  the  city  ;  and  by  night  those  two  commanders 
with  their  divisions  were  directed  to  join  General 
Scott  at  Tacubaya.  The  first  step  in  the  plan  of 
operations  was  to  carry  Chapultepec,  which  was 
absolutely  necessary  before  the  city  could  be  at- 
tacked from  the  Avest.  Heavy  batteries  were  planted 
bearing  upon  Chapultepec,  and  the  bombardment 
and  cannonade  were  commenced  on  the  morning  of 
the  12  th,  and  it  was  resolved  to  make  the  assault 
on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  moment  being  in- 
dicated by  the  cessation  of  the  discharges  from  the 
heavy  batteries,  and  the  columns  of  Pillow  and 
Quitman  advanced  to  the  attack.  The  route  se- 
lected for  Pillow's  division  was  through  a  grove. 
While  leading  his  men  with  great  gallantry.  Pillow 
was  wounded,  and  the  command  devolved  upon 
Cadwalader.  About  half  way  up  the  ascent  was 
a  formidable  redoubt ;  this  was  soon  carried  by  the 
gallantry  of  a  company  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  Chase.  The  troops  continued  to  advance  with 
great  impetuosity,  which  tremendous  discharges  of 
artillery  and  musketry  could  not  check.  No  oppor- 
tunity was  given  the  enemy  to  fire  the  mines  which 
were  laid  along  the  ascent,  without  involving  friends 
as  well  as  foes  in  one  common  ruin.  The  wall 
of  the  main  work  was  at  length  scaled,  and  the  for- 
midable castle  of  Chapultei'^ec  was  in  the  possession 
of  the  Americans.  AVhile  Pillow's  division  was 
advancing  from  the  Avest,  Quitman's  approached 
along  the  causeway  leading  to  the  southeast.     That 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


249 


part  of  tte  Mexican  defences  were  protected  by 
strong  works,  which  rendered  it  exceedingly  ditli- 
cult  to  approach  Chapultepec  from  that  direction. 
Several  batteries  were  stormed  and  the  division  was 
gi'adually  nearing  the  ca«tle;  while  Shields'  l)rigade 
and  the  second  Pennsylvania  volunteer  crossed  the 
fields  under  a  tremendous  fire,  and  carried  the  fii'st 
wall  which  inclosed  Chapultepec  as  Pillow's  divi- 
sion stormed  the  heights.  From  the  north  an  ad- 
vance was  made  by  the  11th  and  14th  infantry  un- 
der Colonel  Trousdale,  who  not  only  sustained  their 
positions  against  superior  num})ers,  but  gallantly 
carried  a  battery  which  had  been  planted  in  the 
road.  Among  the  oflScers  who  fell  at  the  head  of 
the  troops  was  Colonel  Kansom  of  the  9th,  who 
was  shot  dead  while  heroically  leading  his  regiment 
up  the  ascent  from  the  west.  Many  other  gallant 
officers  were  killed  and  wounded.  It  had  been  de- 
termined to  follow  up  the  attack  upon  Chapidtepec 
by  the  capture  of  the  city  itself.  There  were  two 
roads  leading  from  the  castle  to  the  city ;  the  one 
on  the  right  passing  through  Piedad  and  entering 
the  Belen  gate,  and  the  other  called  the  San  Cosme 
road,  terminating  in  the  gate  of  that  name.  These 
roads  were  l)oth  elevated  causeways,  Avide  enough 
for  a  double  track.  Upon  l)oth  sides  of  these 
roads  were  erected  formidalde  })reastworks,  which 
rendered  the  approach  to  the  city  extremely  dan- 
gerous. The  division  under  Worth  advanced  in 
the  direction  of  the  San  Cosme  gate,  while  that 
under  Quitman  was  proceeding  along  the  Belen 
road,  and  the  operations  of  each  were  overlooked 


250 


niSTOET     OP     THE 


by  the  Commander-in-chief,  who  occupied  a  posi- 
tion u])oii  Chapultepec.  Clarke's  and  Cadwala- 
der's  brigades  were  ordered  to  reinforce  Worth's 
division,  while  that  under  Pierce  was  directed  to 
support  General  Quitman.  Before  6  o'clock  in  the 
evening  Worth's  division  had  forced  the  8an  Cosme 
gate,  and  turned  upon  the  disordered  Mexicans  their 
own  artillery,  while  one  of  his  brigades  was  quar- 
tered within  the  city,  and  the  pickets  and  patrols 
were  advanced  half  way  from  the  San  Cosme  gate 
to  the  AUameda.  At  8  o'clock  a  mortar  and  twen- 
ty-four pounder  were  planted,  and  soon  poured  de- 
structive missiles  into  the  grand  plaza,  which  had 
the  effect  of  bringing  to  the  headquarters  of  Gene- 
ral Worth  a  deputation  from  the  city  authorities,  a 
little  i)jist  midnight,  and  who  were  by  him  dis- 
patched in  charge  of  an  officer  to  General  Scott 

General  Scott  believing  that  the  San  Cosme 
route  was  the  most  vulnerable  point  of  attack,  in- 
tended Quitman  only  to  manoeuvre  in  the  direction 
of  the  Belen  gate,  tor  the  purpose  of  facilitating  the 
principal  jussault  under  Worth.  But  overcome  with 
ardor,  and  gallantly  supported  by  his  officers  and 
men,  (Quitman  continued  an  onward  movement  in 
the  face  of  front  and  flank  fires,  which  produced 
great  havoc  among  his  troops.  They  continued 
steadily  to  advance,  until  they  were  within  the  city 
gates,  where  they  rested  for  the  night. 

At  4  o'clock  the  next  morning,  September  14th, 
the  deputation  from  the  city  waited  upon  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief, with  the  information  that  the  Go- 
vernment and  the  army  had  fled,  leaving  the  city 


;x'/.. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


2r>i 


to  its  fate.  The  deputation  tleninndeJ  terms  of  ca- 
pitulation, which  were  refused  by  General  Scott, 
who  gave  ordeix  to  Woilh  and  Quitman  at  daylight 
to  move  into  the  heai-t  of  the  city.  Quitman'.s  di- 
viHion  proceeded  fii-st  into  the  great  plaza  by  the 
eHj)ecial  directions  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  al- 
though he  might  have  been  anticipated  in  that 
pleasure  })y  General  Worth,  if  the  motions  of  nei- 
ther had  been  controlled.  Soon  afterwards  a  flie 
was  commenced  upon  tlie  American  trooj)s  by 
about  2,000  liberated  convicts,  and  a  similar  num- 
ber of  Mexican  troops,  and  it  was  '24  hours  before 
the  outbreak  could  be  suppressed. 

Great  forbearance  had  characterized  the  conduct 
of  General  Scott  ever  since  his  entrance  into  the 
Mexican  territory.  After  the  decisive  victories  of 
the  lilth  and  20th  of  August,  he  had  tendered  an 
offer  of  negotiation  to  the  van([uished,  instead  of 
following  them  at  once  into  the  city.  And  after 
the  American  arms  had  triumphed  again  and  again 
over  greatly  su])('rior  numbers,  and  the  iiuj)o.ssil)il- 
ity  of  defending  the  city  had  })een  demonstrated, 
the  entrance  of  the  American  forces  had  l)een  or- 
derly and  soldierlike,  and  it  was  only  when  dis- 
banded soldiers  and  liberated  convicts  commenced 
a  cowardly  assault  from  windows  and  the  I'oofs  of 
houses,  that  the  horroi-s  ensued  wliich  nnist  follow  a 
cond)at  of  tluit  description,  and  for  which  the  Mex- 
icans and  not  the  Americans  should  be  blamed. 

The  city  of  Mexico  was  now  in  the  jiossession 
of  the  American  army,  and  the  stars  an<l  stripes 
waved  in  triumph  on  the  national   palace.     This 


•JASPKli  J^IJiHAHY, 
Oruair?  March  l.Hl3^i, 

Inst'i  Ayr,  I5h  i  1^57 


2r>2 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


brilliunt  achievement  had  not  Leeu  ol)trtine(l  with- 
out great  loss.  At  the  ])uttle8  of  Coiitreras  and 
Churubusco,  the  loss  of  the  Anici'icuns  was  137 
killed  and  877  wounded;  at  Molino  del  Key,  in 
killed  and  wounded  and  missing,  789 ;  at  the  stoi-in- 
ing  of  Chapultepec,  and  the  capture  of  the  city, 
130  were  killed  and  703  wounded.  The  loss  of  offi- 
cers in  these  engagements  was  33  killed  and  179 
wounded.  Although  the  slaughter  was  great,  yet 
the  triumph  of  so  small  an  army,  who  succeeded  in 
driving  a  greatly  superior  force  from  one  intrench- 
ment  to  another,  and  that,  too,  in  the  very  heart  of 
the  enemy's  country,  was  certainly  unsurpassed  in 
the  annals  of  military  Avarfare.  After  he  had  gar- 
risoned Chapultepec,  the  force  with  which  General 
Scott  advanced  against  the  city  was  less  than  6,000 
men,  while  the  army  under  Santa  Anna  liefore  the 
battle  of  Contreraa,  was  more  than  30,000.  In- 
trenched behind  formidable  defences,  which  were 
protected  by  powerful  trains  of  artillery,  and  fight- 
ing under  the  eyes  of  the  people  of  Mexico,  with 
the  capital  of  the  country  as  the  prize  for  which 
they  contended,  the  success  of  the  American  arms 
seems  almost  mu-aculous.  That  the  Mexicans  fought 
vnih  great  desperation  is  proved  by  the  immense 
loss  which  they  sustained,  amounting  in  killed  and 
wounded  to  more  than  7,000.  3,730  prisonei-s  were 
taken,  among  the  number  being  13  generals.  With 
the  loss  of  the  city  was  destroyed  the  morale  of 
the  Mexicans,  who  gave  up  the  struggle  in  despair, 
and  disl)an(le<l,  leaving  their  capital  and  their 
country  in  the  j)osses9ion  of  the  conqueroi's. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


253 


The  spectacle  which  was  pre-icnted  on  the  moru- 
iug  of  the  14tli  to  the  citizens  of  Mexico,  })y  the 
entrance  of  the  American  ^roops,  must  have  been 
stnrtlingly  gi-and  anil  imposing.  They  saw  for  the 
first  time  those  terrible  legions,  who,  u]K)n  the  many 
bloody  fields  which  signalized  this  war,  had  estab- 
lished a  character  for  invincibility.  The  slow  and 
measured  tread,  and  the  calm,  stern  countenances, 
marked  the  progress  of  Worth's  regulai's  ;  while  the 
gallant  bearing,  youthful  aj)i)earance,  and  enthusi- 
astic movements  of  Quitman's  division,  designated 
them  as  the  volunteer.  They  were  no  holiday  sol- 
diers, decked  with  waving  plumes,  and  gilt  trajh 
pings,  l)ut  the  resolute  and  invinciljle  soldiers, 
whose  prowess  had  conquered  an  empire. 

The  Americans  who  composed  the  army  of  in- 
vasion, were  certainly  remarkable  for  their  skill 
and  gallantry.  The  regulars  had  seen  service  ni)on 
many  sanguinary  fields,  and  their  high  state  of  dis- 
cipline, and  steady  bravery  in  the  hour  of  battle, 
rendered  their  movements  always  irresistible,  while 
the  volunteei-s,  who  had  left  their  homes  to  obtain 
renown  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  were  celebrated 
for  their  reckless  impetuosity. 

The  officers  by  whom  they  were  commanded, 
were  composed  of  some  of  the  brightest  ornaments 
in  the  service.  Their  movements  were  directed  l)y 
the  vast  experience  and  unrivalled  military  skill  of 
General  Scott,  who  was  surrounded  by  the  scientific 
and  brilliant  Worth,  the  experienced  and  impetuous 
Twiggs,  the  energetic  and  gallant  Pillow,  the  brave 
and  daring  Quitman,  the  jool  and  skilful  Cadwal- 


2r,4 


HIHTORy     OF     THE 


U(l«*r,  the  fi«'ry  and  recldess  Shields,  the  calm  and 
resolute  I'ii'i'oe,  the  jirofound  and  al>le  Smith,  and 
tli<*  dasliiii'^andHagucious  Dnncan;  l)eside9  an  amy 
of  distil  ,,'iiishe*'.  otticers  who  would  have  rivalled 
the  s))l(!iidid  array  of  Napoleon's  Marshals. 

When  we  take  into  consideration  the  nnm))er8 
of  the  invadin;.'  army,  and  the  obstacles  to  })e  over- 
come liefoie  the  city  of  Mexico  could  be  taken  at 
the  mouth  of  the  cannon,  we  can  come  to  no  other 
conclusioi.,  than  that  the  second  conquest  of  Mexico 
was  W(Mi  un(h'r  far  more  threateninf;  danffei-s,  than 
lay  in  the  path  of  Fernando  Cortez. 

Soldiers  and  volunteers  from  all  })ortions  of  the 
UiiHtii  i-omposed  the  army  of  invasion,  and  were 
('•lually  di-itiiif^'uished  for  gallantry  and  good  con- 
duct. The;  New  flnglauder  fought  })y  the  side  of 
the  Southerner — tbo  citizen  from  the  Atlantic  coast, 
and  fi(»iti  tlie  f\t  West,  mingled  togcthei-  where  free- 
nu'ii  \v  re  conten<ling  for  the  honor  of  their  native 
land.  Kmidation  and  rivalry  prompted  each  to 
seek  ♦^hat  s[)ot  where  fame  was  to  be  accjuired. 
Commanders  and  subordinates  exhibited  a  I'ecklesH 
disregard  <  '  danger,  and  all  united  in  upholding 
the  honor  of  tin?  country  amid  the  horroi-s  of  })attle, 
and  assisted  to  cover  with  immoital  renown  those 
tei'rible  legions  who  })()re  aloft  the  l)anner  of  the 
Union,  imtil  it  floated  in  tnuniph  over  the  'Halls 
of  th(!  Montezinnas." 

I)etcat4'd  at  all  points,  and  driven  from  the  ca- 
T)ital,  Santa  Anna  resigned  the  presidency,  and  de- 
t<'rnrnied  to  attack  the  American  garrison  stationed 
at  I'uebla.    That  city  wits  defended  l)y  500  effective, 


POLK     ADMINI8TRATICN. 


255 


and  1,S00  (lisal)led  men,  who  were  attacked  on  the 
]  8th  of  Sei>t(Mnber  by  a  party  of  Mexicans.  Santa 
Anna  reached  Puebla  on  the  22d  of  Septeniljcr, 
and  on  the  25th  summoned  Colonel  Childs  to  sur- 
render, which  was  peremptoi'ily  refused.  An  attack 
was  commenced  on  the  27th,  without,  however,  mak- 
ing any  impression.  Finding  himself  foilc(l  in  that 
quarter,  Santa  Anna  left  Puebla  on  the  1st  of  Oc- 
tol>er,  with  a  column  of  about  4,000  men,  for  the 
purj)ose  of  cutting  off  a  detachment  of  Americans, 
who  were  on  their  way  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the 
hea<l(juartei"8  of  General  Scott,  The  l)lockade  of 
t,h<!  AmcM'icans  in  Puebla  was  continued  until  the 
l2th  of  October,  when  it  was  raised  by  a  ])arty  of 
Amencan  troops,  who  had  arrived  from  the  coast. 
In  the  mean  time,  it  was  determined  by  the  Cabinet 
in  Washington,  to  dispatch  a  portion  of  the  army 
of  the  north,  under  General  Lane,  as  a  reinfoive- 
ment  to  the  army  of  invasion.  Before  they  ai-rived, 
however,  about  1,000  recruits  for  the  regular  army 
left  that  city  under  the  command  of  Major  Lally, 
who  encountered  and  defeated  the  Guei'illeros  at 
Paso  de  Ovega,  Puente  Nacional,  and  at  Cerro 
(}ord«».  The  reason  Lally  and  his  command  was 
force<I  to  fight  their  AA'ay  to  Jalapa,  was  the  belief 
entertained  by  the  Mexicans  that  he  had  in  his  train 
a  large  amount  of  raoney. 

On  tii(!  20th  of  September,  General  LaTie  took 
tip  his  line  of  march  with  abcmt  2,500  soldieis,  and 
arrived  at  Ja^jUrm,  and  effected  a  junt;tion  with  the 
eomniand  imder  Lally.  The  ccmibined  forces  moved 
on  in  the  direction  of  Puebla.     Information  was  ob- 


■  I  1 1191  |ij«,lii11l|^iuhp 


256 


HISTORY     OF     T II E 


tail  led  hy  General  Lane  that  the  Mexican  troops 
under  Santa  Anna  were  stationed  at  Pluamantla, 
several  miles  from  the  high  road.  On  the  9th,  the 
Americans  attacked  the  troops  under  his  command, 
and  having  dispei-sed  them.  Lane  continued  his 
march  to  PueLla,  where  he  arrived  on  the  12th  of 
Oct()l)er. 

After  the  resignation  of  Santa  Anna,  the  execu- 
tive i)ower  pjissed  under  the  control  of  Peiia  y 
Peiia,  who  attemj)ted  to  organize  a  government  at 
Toluca,  on  the  27th  of  September,  1847.  The  seat 
of  govt^rument  was  soon  after  removed  to  Queretaro. 
A  great  desire  was  now  felt  by  the  administration 
as  well  as  by  our  troops  in  Mexico,  that  the  Mexi- 
can Government  should  be  able  to  sustain  itself  in 
the  attempt  to  negotiate  a  peace.  General  Auaya 
wjis  elected  President,  to  serve  until  January,  1848. 
Pena  y  Pena  and  Rosa  were  appointed  cal)inet  offi- 
cers. They  were  in  favor  of  negotiation;  while 
Bustameiite,  who  was  opposed  to  that  policy,  was 
a]i])oint('d  Commander-in-chief  of  the  army,  for  the 
purpose  of  conciliating  him.  Communications  jMissed 
l)etweeii  Rosa  and  the  American  Commissioner ; 
and  to  ]n'ove  that  the  Mexican  Government  Avere 
now  seriously  disposed  to  terminate  the  war,  they 
a])])ointod  commissioners  in  November,  to  conclude 
a  treaty  of  peace. 

On  the  1st  of  Sej^tember  another  and  still  more 
positive  intimation  was  given  from  the  War  De- 
Ijartment  to  (ieiieral  Scott,  to  forca|C()ntiibutioiis 
from  the  Mexicans,  and  this  in  view  of  the  posses- 


'Jifl<«.»HI<« 


I'e 
(le 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION.  257 

oioii  f»f  the  city  of  Mexico  by  the  troops  under  his 
coinnuiml.* 

The  propositions  which  the  Mexicans  made 
during  the  armistice  which  preceded  the  l)uttle 
of  Molino  del  Key,  and  the  otter  of  Mr.  Trist  to 
refer  the  question  of  title  to  the  country  lying  Ije- 
tween  the  Rio  Grande  and  Nueces  to  the  Govern- 
ment at  Washington,  produced  a  letter  from  jNIr. 
Buchanan,  on  the  6th  of  October,  1847,  in  which 
Mr.  Trist  was  ordered  to  return  home.  This  com- 
mand was  reiterated,  and  on  the  Gth  of  Octoljer, 

*  "  The  obstinate  persistence  of  the  Mexicans  in  refusing  to  treat, 
their  utter  disregard  of  tlie  rules  of  civilized  warfare,  and  tlie  large  ex- 
penditures which  we  are  compelled  to  make,  has  impressed  on  the  I'ro- 
sidcnt  the  firm  conviction  that  those  rights  of  exacting  contributions  from 
the  enemy,  which  arc  conferred  on  a  IwUigerent  by  the  acknowledged 
law  of  nations,  should  be  exercised.  Your  remarks  in  your  dispatch,  No. 
28,  dated  at  Jalapa,  May  20th,  1847,  have  been  carefully  observed.  Your 
circumstances  are  since  materially  changed ;  and  if,  as  wc  doubt  not, 
you  have  triumphantly  entered  the  city  of  Mexico,  the  President  directs 
mn  again  to  call  your  attention  to  the  dispatch  to  this  Department  of  the 
3d  of  April  list,  a  copy  of  which  is  here  inclosed.  The  property-holders 
of  Mexico  have  no  claim  to  find  in  the  market  afforded  by  sales  to  our 
army,  an  actual  pecuniary  benefit  resulting  from  the  war.  They  must  be 
made  to  feel  its  evils,  and  it  is  earnestly  hoped  and  expected  that  you  will 
not  find,  in  your  present  circumstances,  a  necessity  to  adhere  to  your 
opinion,  expressed  in  your  dispatch  referred  to,  thot  a  resort  to  f<,rced  con- 
tributions will  exasperate  and  ruin  the  inhabitants,  and  starve  the  army. 
Contributions  may  be  cxiu'ted  from  cities,  or  states,  or  wealthy  indi- 
viduals, and  payment  made  for  provisions  and  other  supplies  l)r(iuglit  to 
the  camp,  or  collected  in  kind.  It  is  not  improbable  that  men  of  wealth 
and  means  may  profess  to  belong  mainly  to  the  peace  party  ;  and  it  may 
be  opprehended  that  they  will  be  driven  from  their  pacific  position  by 
coercive  proceedings.  But  liowever  such  an  effect  may  l)e  npprehendeil, 
it  is  more  probable  that  their  exertions  to  promote  a  termination  of  the 
war  will  be  made  more  serious  ond  efiicient  when  they  f(>el  the  oppressive 
evils  of  the  state  of  war." — Lriier  from  John  Y.  Mason,  Actitm  Secrt- 
tary  of  War,  U>  General  Scott,  September  Ul,  1847. 


If 


JASIMIU   I-iiUlAUY, 
Oi-iaiiJ  March  l.UJ.'^^i* 


258 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


the  Secretary  of  War  addressed  a  letter  to  Cmnarn] 
Scott,  informing  liim  tliat  the  powers  vested  in  Mr. 
Trist  had  been  revoked,  and  directing  him  to  in- 
form the  Mexican  Government  of  that  fact  *  In 
the  same  comnmnication,  tlie  Commander-in-chief 
was  directed  to  forward  any  propositions  tlie  M<'xi- 
cans  might  make  to  the  Government  at  A\'jL-.hing- 
ton,  but  not  to  i-elax  his  exertioiLs  in  the  i»nr«eca- 
tion  of  hostilities.f  The  designs  of  the  adminis- 
tration were  thus  fully  comnmnicated  to  tlie  Com- 
mander-in-chief, and  Mr.  Ti'ist.  It  was  det<'nnined 
to  transfer  the  negotiations  from  Mexico  to  Wash- 
ington, and  for  this  purpose  the  powei-s  whic}i  had 
hitherto  been  invested  in  Mr.  Tiist  were  aMntilI<'d. 
But  that  individual,  with  a  strange  and  unaccount- 
able pertinacity,  still  determined  t<j  act  as  the 
Commissioner  of  the  United  States,  and  jK^sitively 
refused  to  obey  the  injunctions  of  the  Secretar)-  of 
State.  In  the  meantime  volunteers  and  regu'ars, 
under  the  command  of  Generals  Butler  and  Tatter- 
son,  continued  pounng  into  the  valley  of  Mexico, 
and  by  the  20th  of  December,  the  American  troijjw 


*  "  The  views  of  the  Gavernment  in  relation  to  proprMition!!  and 
negotiations  for  concluding  a  ponce,  nre  disclosed  in  a  dispatch  frfdn  tlie 
Department  of  State  to  Mr.  Trist,  a  copy  of  which  accmiipanie;!  this 
commiinicntion.  By  it  you  will  |)erceive  that  he  is  recalled.  Von  will 
einlirnce  a  projwr  occasion  to  notify  tlio  .Mexican  authorities  of  llii«  fact." 
—Ltlirr  of  ^lr.  Marnj  In  (ienrml  Sriill,  Oclober  Ctth,  1847. 

t  "  Should  they  offer,  through  you,  tenus  of  acc<:Hnin<)dati<m,  or  prt>[x>iic 
to  enter  on  negotiutions,  the  President  directs  lliat  such  propocition^  lie 
forwarded  without  delay  to  liiui ;  but  it  Is  not  expected  that  your  move- 
ments or  measures  for  carrying  on  hostilities  will  thereby  l>e  relaxed  or 
in  any  wise  changed." — Si'crrtarij  nf  War  to  (ieneral  ScAt,  S^pUmber 
Ut,  1847. 


nn^^mp^^fgrn^ 


POLK     ADSIINISTRATION, 


259 


in  the  vicuiity  of  tlie  capital  amounted  to  15,000 
men. 

Detaclunonts  from  this  force  were  3ent  in  differ- 
ent directions  from  the  caj)ital;  contrilmtioiis  were 
levied  and  enforced,  and  the  whole  jH»wer  of  the 
army  was  ]>rought  to  heai-  for  the  j»uqKise  of  fcjrciiig 
the  IMexicans  to  ajjjree  to  tenns. 

On  the  2d  of  Fel»ruary,  ls4H,  the  laLoi-s  of  Mr. 
Trist,  which  werc^  coiMluctcd  u|»on  liis  own  responsi- 
bility, jmxluced  a  paj»<'r,  signi-d  at  (fiiadaliipe  Hi- 
dalgo, which  was  transmitted  liv  the  order  (»f  (Jen- 
eral  Scott  to  the  Government  at  W.isliington.*  The 
coiirse  pui-siied  Ity  the  Command<'r-in<-ljicf  towards 
Mr.  Trist  was  somewhat  rcmarkalile.  In  the  letter 
of  the  Secretary  of  War,  of  S<'pteml»er  1st,  he  was 
distinctly  informed  that  Mr.  Tii-t  wa-i  recalled,  and 
that  all  communications  which  the  Mexicans  there- 
after made,  relative  to  the  estaMishment  of  a  treaty 
of  peace,  should  he  tran>imitte<l  to  Wiishington. 
After  he  had  received  th<»se  instructions,  (ieneral 
Scott  knew  t^iat  no  one  in  Mexico  was  empowered 
t«.>  conclude  a  treaty,  and  that  thf  course  ]»ursued 
}yj  Mr.  Trist  was  an  unauthorized  assumption  of 
power.  Still  he  forwarded  the  result  of  the  illegal 
act3  of  Mr.  Trist  to  Washington,  and  instead  of 


•'-  *  "  I  write  in  haste,  by  the  expre«f>  who  carripo  the  project  of  a  treaty 

that  Mr.  Trist  has,  at  the  moment,  signed  with  the  Mexican  Commis- 
sioners. 

"  In  about  forty  days  I  may  receive  an  acknowledgment  of  this  re- 
port. By  tiiat  time,  if  the  treaty  l)e  not  accepted.  I  hope  to  be  sufficiently 
reinforced  to  open  the  commercial  line  In  ^ ween  Zacatecas  and  Tampico." 
— heller  nf  (ienerni  Srrill  to  the  Serrrlary  of  War,  Fehriiary  2d,  1848. 
Volume  7,  Execulive  Document',  Irt  utttum  30rt  Congrem, 


260 


HlbTU*^'    rVtf    TITB 


prosecuting  the  vav   ^'iJnTV^lW^Iy,  he   awaited  the 
aaswer  to  his  ivi>ort  of  }->i\mM'y  2<l,  iH-iH. 

It  wiMi  uud(.mljtetlh  ili'  .(uty  of  General  Scott 
to  obey  the  ordert-  that  v.»jv»  iw»itHd  from  the  War 
Dopailnieiit,  and  thi^  i*Ht  M'  «*Vaniple  to  the  whole 
ainiy  of  tsul)oidiiiatioiJ  tv -rttji^-nnr  officers. 

The  difficultie.-  Mhi<;l)  lijui  .)<«cnn'e(l  between  the 
Conimauder-in-chief  and  •n.nv'ml  of  the  distinguished 
ofBcere  of  the  aruiy,  iudM'f»fl'  din  President  on  the 
13th  of  January,  1^4^.  H\'  iirtnt  the  desire  which 
General  Scott  had  exjH^wrJ'  i^n  the  4th  of  June, 
1847,  for  his  recall  *  and  ii<<  .'oniniand  of  the  army 
devolved  upon  Geneial  ibttler'. 

The  charges  which '<ti»Tt«'ml  >"*f'ott  made  against 
Pillow  and  Dmicau  hadtv  lU'  investigated.  It  was 
due  to  all  parties  that  h  ■r^lmild  he  done  ;  and  as  the 
war  in  effect  had  ]ninu  Vmiinaterl  1iy  the  possession 
of  the  enemy's  country,  ffth'tv*  wjw  no  more  appro- 
priate time  for  an  exauiinttinn  of  the  charges  made 
by  General  Scott,  tiiui;  iiuf  which  was  sele-^ted. 


♦  "  Sir  ;  In  view  o1'  tbe  ^nsm»'  JH/m  rif  thmas  in  the  army  under 
your  immediate  command,  auri  hi  vtWftfRwffic  with  the  assurance  contained 
in  my  reply  to  your  letter  ot  tu<  AU  if  .Uirt^.  wherein  yon  ask  to  be  re- 
called, the  President  liat^  6eufTUum%  H  rHi<»TT>  you  from  further  duty  as 
commanding  general  in  Mejuc<i ' 

"  Desirous  to  secure  a  full  tam^fmUm  ifrto  nil  the  matters  embraced 
in  the  eeveitil  charpes  whicji  y<*'  liiM**'  |#<>B»»nted  against  Major  General 
Pillow  and  Brevet  Lieuteuaoi  iMiM**  iVfrnran.  .m  well  as  the  charges  or 
grounds  of  complaint  pretteiiuci  j«js»«'»t  ■.on  by  Rrevet  Major  General 
Worth,  and  deeming'  your  preiwr«»i»  *«f/.i>iv  tite  conrt  of  inquiry  which  has 
been  organized  to  invest igai*-  Imu*  ,M«t<>T«,  indispensably  necessary  for 
this  purpose,  you  arc  dirertod  J«j  u<»fHiitini*»rff  to  attend  the  said  court  of 
inquiry  wherever  it  may  liokl  il>-  «»!«<(».'■  *c  ifec. — I^ter  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  to  tieneral  ScolL  Jtuwu^f  1  ,VA,  1H48.  Executive  Documentl, 
lit  session  iOth  Cungress.  vol.'fj. 


FOLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


261 


Bc-^id^*,  tlwr  Commander-in-chief,  several  mouths 
J>ef<>j-4-,  l*a(<<J  cr5ff»Tf'!»se(l  a  wish  to  be  relieved  fi'om  the 
couiutawiwl  *A  Ithe  army,*  and  he  had  received  assur- 
aiic*;^  \\mt  few  fifsiire  would  lie  complied  with  when 
the  j/uWk-  *i*itvu:e  would  justify  it.f  ITiis  request 
of  tbe  C/«:wrrAl-in-(^-hief  created  some  surprise  at 
Wai'hiiii^i'yw,  » h^re  it  was  known  that  he  had  mani- 
fef<t*«J  aJii  anixr'om  desire  to  receive,  in  pei-son,  the 
coiiUiiaJiii<l  (<4  the  armies  in  the  field.J 

\N'luit  thfme  grievances  were  of  which  General 
Scott  ityi/tiiphaneA^  were  set  forth  in  detail  in  his  let- 
ter of  F^lymirj' ■>4th,  1848. 

Tbjiit  tU»fmTnent  set  out  with  some  extraordinary 
afisujjjj/itaKyjib^,!  and  contained  several  specifications 


•  "  <>jai»(i<l*i!lasf  fhfi  many  criipl  disappointments  and  mortifications  I 
hav*-  befnj  waiin  fii  ft»i»l  ^inr.f  I  left  Washington,  or  the  total  want  of  sup- 
port aud  »»>w)iirJi'y  iin  ihe  part  of  the  War  Department  which  I  have  so 
lonji  fxjj'.'ri^nrtwll  I  iwaf  to  he  recalled  from  this  army  the  moment  that  it 
may  Ij*"  kkW  i:r  tny  pi^r^n  to  embark  at  Vera  Cruz,  which  I  i'lpposo  will 
be  early  iu  V^nmh^r," — Dhpalrh  of  Oeneral  Scott  to  the.  Secrelnry  of 
War.  JiciK  t/Hk-  I*t7.  tU'.ciUne  Documents,  1st  sessumSOth  Congress, 
vol.  7.  p  Vii.. 

+  •■  iU'jswHSn^  fhi^  indncementji  yo\i  have  assigned  for  begging  to  be 
recttlW.  ll^  ■fe»i»rDingf  ro  have  very  little  influence  on  the  question,  it  will 
be  dwidod  \ff  flltif  P'rPMident  with  exclusive  reference  to  the  public  good. 
Wlieii  tkiai  «ttx*l'  render  it  proper,  in  his  opinion,  to  withdraw  you  from 
your  viretfiif  •.•.mmnnrt,  his  determination  to  do  so  will  be  made  known  to 
you."— /y."««ry  rhf  .%>rr'fan/  of  War  to  General  Scott,  July  V2lh,  1847. 
ExectLlw.  Itv.Tm/Tttn,  \M  .w.s.iion  30//i  Congress,  vol.  7,  p.   1002. 

J  ^  fJkttttuti^vlAi^  rhnf.  you  had  claimed,  as  a  matter  of  right  due  to  your 
FuperiijT  cHuik.  Vi  hi»  pLv.ed  at  the  head  of  our  armies  in  the  field,  in  a  state 
ol  actual  »iiir.«»it  had  earnestly  besought  that  position  as  a  matter  of  favor, 
the  Pre«i<l»nrr  wh*  nor  a  little  surpri.ied  that,  afler  so  brief  a  period  of  ser- 
vice, you  ttU>Ui{  :«»lt  ro  he  recalled." — Ibid.,  p.  1001. 

{  ".^*  llbf  ■'t^.Kfr*  detaileil  for  the  court  of  ini|iiiry  before  which  I  am 
ordered  \'j  vift^'xt w  n  rriminal.  art"  not  known  to  have  arrived  in  the  coun- 
try, I  kiiui  lUtjiMi^  (X  a  moment's  leisure  to  recall  some  of  the  neglecta, 


W 
1 

^ 


262 


11  I  ?•  r  O  n  Y      O  F     T  II  K 


which  were  ti'iuin])hantly  refuted  by  the  Secretary 
of  War,  in  au  argument,  which  for  logical  powei- 
has  seldom  been  surjjassed,  and  obtained  for  its  au- 
thoi-  a  high  reputation. 

Tlie  fii*8t  charge  made  })y  General  Scott  was 
the  want  of  time  which  was  allowed  him  l)efore  his 
departure  from  Wjushington,  only  four  days  having 
been  granted,  when  twenty  might  have  l)een  em- 
ployed with  great  benefit  to  the  service.  To  which 
Mr.  Marcy  responded  that  he  was  not  restricted  as 
to  time,  and  that  it  was  not  until  after  he  had  re- 
])orted  himself  retidy  for  departure,  that  he  wjis 
ordered  away ;  and  that  instead  of  going  directly 
to  Mexico,  his  desire  was  granted  to  pass  through 
New- York,  where  he  remained  nearly  a  week ;  and 
that  he  did  not  arrive  in  New-Orleans  until  26  days 
after  he  left  Washington.* 

Another  accusation  vvas  a  refusal  upon  the  part 
of  the  cabinet  to  ])ermit  one  of  three  accomplished 
captains  whom  he  had  named,  to  act  as  his  assistant 
adjutantrgeneral,  alleging  that  there  was  a  vacancy 
which  he  desired  to  he  filled  by  one  of  those  per- 
sons, lliis  the  administration  could  not  gi'ant,  first 
upon  the  gi-ound  that  there  was  no  vacancy,  and  if 
there  had  been,  a  compliance  with  his  wishes  would 
have  produced  a  violation  of  the  rules  which  go- 
verned the  service.     He  then  charged  upon  the  ad- 

disappointmonts,  injiirios  and  rebukes  which  have  been  inflicted  upon  me 
by  the  War  Department  since  my  departure  from  Wasliingfon,  November 
23d,  1846." — Jjeller  of  General  Scoll  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Felrruary 
lAth,  1818. 

*  I^'tter  of  tlie  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Scott,  April  Slst,  1848. 
Executive  Documents,  1st  session  30th  Con^rrcss,  vol,  2,  p.  1,228. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


203 


ministration  a  failure.to  sujjply  tlie  necessary  vessels 
to  transport  the  troops  from  Tampico  and  the  Bra- 
zos to  Vera  Cruz,  and  tliat  liis  operations  were  (k^- 
layed  from  the  1.5th  of  January  until  the  0th  of 
March*  If  there  is  any  force  at  all  in  this  charge, 
it  means  that  on  the  l.^th  of  Januaiy  the  army  un- 
der General  Scott  wa.s  ready  to  eml)aik  at  that 
time,  and  for  want  of  transportation,  occasioned  hy 
the  fault  of  the  Government,  they  Avei-e  delayed 
until  the  9th  of  March.  There  are  two  facts  which 
conclusively  answer  this  complaint.  Fii-st,  the  regu- 
lars from  Taylor's  column,  who  were  an  important 
part  of  Scott's  force,  did  not  arrive  at  the  place  of 
embarkation  until  after  the  2  nth  of  January,  ten 
days  subsequently  to  the  time  indicated  l)y  the 
Commander-in-chief  as  the  period  ■when  he  was 
ready  to  embark ;  and  second,  hn  bore  testimony 
himself  to  the  faithfid  performance  of  his  duty  by 
the  Quartermaster  General,f  who  Avas  sulyect  to  his 
orders,  and  was  in  a  position  to  execute  them  with 
the  greatest  promptitude. 

The  comj>laint  which  he  made  of  being  rebuked 
for  releasing  on  parole  the  prisonei-s  taken  at  Cerro 

*  "  Relying  upon  tlinm,  confidently,  tho  embarkation  was  dolaycd  in 
whole  or  in  part,  at  the  Brazos  and  Tumpir- ,  from  the  15tii  of  January  to 
the  9th  of  March,  leaving,  it  was  feared,  not  half  the  lime  needed  for  the 
reduction  of  Vera  Cruz  and  its  castle  before  the  return  of  the  yellow  fever." 
— latter  of  Ofnernl  Scott  to  the  Secrplnry  of  War,  February  2UA,  1848. 
Executire  Docunwntu,  \»t  session  30/A  Cort/rress,  vol.  7,  p.  1220. 

t  "  The  Quartermaster  General,  Brevet  Major  General  Jesup,  at  New- 
Orleans,  I  find,  has  taken  all  proper  measures  with  judgment  and  prompti- 
tude, to  provide  every  thing  depending  on  his  department  for  the  dispatch  and 
success  of  my  expedition." — Dispatch  of  General  Scntt  to  the  Secretary 
of  War,  January  2')/A,  1847.  Executive  Documents,  \sl  session  30th 
Confrress,  vol.  7. 


Oiiiaii'i  March  l.lH.l'i^ 
Iiista  At-      -2'     1H,17, 


204 


IIISTOUV      (»K      1  II  K 


Gni'do,  U  far  from  Ikmiiij  sustained  l)y  tlie  language 
M'hifli  was  addressed  to  liim  on  that  suhjeot.* 

It  was  very  unfortunate  for  (Jeneral  Scott  that 
he  ln'ouglit  his  aceusations  against  the  administra- 
tion;  and  HO  far  from  ivineing  sympathy  from  the 
American  people  and  .proving  his  prospects  for 
the  Presidential  chair,  his  warmest  friends  felt  that 
llis  hopes  wen;  blasted  l»y  the  crushing  reply  of  the 
Secretary  of  War.  The  ojiposition  members  of 
Congress  who  Avere  disposed  to  favor  the  nomina- 
tion of  GeiuM'al  Scott  for  the  Presidency,  expected 
to  increase  his  popularity  by  the  publication  of  the 
correspondences  between  himself  and  the  War  De- 
pai'tment ;  while  othei-s,  whose  ])references  were 
exhi!>ited  for  another  military  chieftain,  hoped  by 
bringing  odium  upon  the  administration,  to  obtain 
a  triumph  over  the  demwratic  party.  Foiled  in 
their  expectations,  they  could  only  express  their  in- 
dignation, because  Mr.  Marcy  furnished  under  the 
call  of  the  House  of  Kcspresentatives  of  the  17th 
of  April,  1848,  his  celebrated  reply  to  General 
Scott,  dated  cm  the  ilst.f 

On  the  IKth  of  February,  1848,  the  Commander- 
in-chief  of  tlie  army  of  invasion  was  informed  that 
he  was  relieved  from  further  duty  in  Mexico.  It  is 
a  subject  of  much  regret,  that  one  who  had  led  our 
con([uering  legions  to  the  far-famed  Halls  of  the 
Montezumas,  could  not  still  retain  the  conniumd 

*  I<eUerof  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Gencml  Scntt,  May  SIM,  1847. 

t  The  lottpr  i)f  (icnoRil  Scoff  and  the  reply  of  tlio  Secretary  of  War 
can  be  found  in  the  Appendix.  Vohime  7  Executive  Documents,  1st  ses- 
sion 30th  Congress,  pp.  1218  to  1251  inclusive. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


265 


until  the  treaty  of  peace  was  ratified.  As  it  wnn, 
however,  he  had  won  all  the  glory  which  could  l)0 
obtained  in  that  celebrated  canij)aign,  and  tin-  jtosi- 
tion  1  )erttowed  upon  Butler  a.s  hLsHuccesisor,  conferred 
but  an  empty  honor. 

Althftugh  a  brave,  courteous,  and  gallant  tdlicer, 
General  Butler  had  many  superi»)rs  in  point  of  mili- 
tary skill,  in  the  valley  of  Mexico.  The  necessity 
which  rendered  his  ajjpointment  imperative,  is  n 
subject  of  much  regret.  To  rank  those  heroiir  chief- 
tains who  had  assisted  to  elevate  the  military  re- 
nown of  our  country  upon  the  sanguinary  li«'!ds  of 
Mexico,  with  an  officer  who  had  particij)atcd  to  only 
a  limited  degree  in  the  cont«'st,  should,  if  possi- 
ble, have  been  avoided.  If  honor  was  to  be  con- 
ferred, almost  every  General  Officer  in  the  valley 
wa«  entitled  to  the  j)osition.  If  danger  was  api)re- 
hended,  the  profound  military  skill  and  gri'iit  jiljili- 
ties  of  (ientiral  Worth,  designated  him  as  tin-  isppro- 
priate  successor  of  General  Scott.*  He  jxjsscssed 
the  ardor  and  impetuosity  of  Murat,  the  bi'av»;i-y 
and  inflexil)le  determination  of  Ney,  the  ability  and 
judgment  of  Massena,  and  the  bearing  and  frankness 
of  Macdonald. 

llie  document  signed  by  Mr.  Trist,  at  Guada- 
lupe Hidalgo,  was  received  by  the  President  in 
February,  1848,  and  produced  at  Washington  a 
strong  feeling  of  indignation  again.st  Mr.  Trist  for 

♦  It  WBB  siippoHcd  thattlio  PreBidcnt  wns  induced  to  order  Butler  to 
Mexico,  owing  to  the  feelin^H  with  wliirh  Pillow  had  inspired  the  iiriny. 
Ho  wnH  next  in  mnk  to  (Jenernl  Scott,  nnd  consequently  would  Imve  unc- 
ceeded  liiin  in  the  command  of  the  army,  but  for  tlie  presence  of  Cicneral 
Butler. 


^ 

1 


-.1 


2r.('. 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


Jiis  unauthorized  ii88unij)tion  of  power.  Mr.  Polk 
8uI)Uiitte(l  the  document  to  his  eonstitutionul  udvi- 
sei's,  and  after  a  warm  and  aninuited  deliate,  the 
treaty,  with  certain  amendments,  was  ratified  March 
lotli,  l.S-48,  thirty-eight  Senator  voting  foi-,  and  four- 
teen against  it.  Messrs.  Sevier  and  Clifford  were  aj> 
j)ointeil  Commissioner  for  the  purpose  of  ol)taining 
a  ratification  of  the  treaty  from  the  Mexican  (lov- 
eriuni'ut  at  Queretaro,  which  was  done  on  the  3f»th 
of  May,  1848.  Tlie  Americans  soon  after  evacuated 
the  Mexican  territory.*    The  results  of  the  wf»r 


♦"TREATY 

Qf  place,  frimdahip,  limili  and  atltlement  between  the  United  Statu  qf  America 
and  the  'Mexican  liejmblic.  Dated  at  (iuadalupe  Hidalgo,  February  2, 
18H;  ratified  by  tlie  President  oj  the  I'niled  Stales,  March  16,  184fl;  tx- 
changcd  at  Queretaro,  May  30,  1843  ;  proclaimed  by  the  PretUUnt  of  the 
United  States,  July  4,  1848. 

"Bt  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

"A  PROCLAMATION. 

"  Whereas,  a  treaty  of  peace,  friendship,  limits,  and  settlement,  be- 
tween tlic  United  States  of  America  and  the  Mexican  Republic,  was  cnn- 
cliidod  and  signed  at  the  city  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  on  the  second  day 
of  P'ebruary,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-cigiit,  which  treaty,  as 
amcndod  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  and  being  in  the  English  and 
Spanish  languages,  is  word  for  word  as  follows  : 

"  In  tiie  name  of  the  Almighty  God  :  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  the  United  Mexican  States,  animated  by  a  sincere  desire  to  put  an  end 
to  tlic  calamities  of  the  war  which  unhappily  exists  between  the  two  repub- 
lics, and  to  establish  upon  a  solid  basis  relations  of  peace  and  friendship, 
which  siiall  confer  reciprocal  benefits  upon  the  citizens  of  both,  and  assure 
tlie  concord,  harmony,  and  mutual  confidence  wherein  the  two  people 
should  live,  as  good  neighbors,  have  for  that  purpose  appointed  their  re- 
spective plenipotentiaries,  that  is  to  say,  the  President  of  the  United  States 
has  appointed  Nicholas  P.  Trist,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
President  of  the  Mexican  Republic  has  appointed  Don  Luis  Gonzaga  Cue* 
vas,  Don  Bernardo  Couto,  and  Don  Miguel  Atristain,  citizens  of  the  said 
republic,  who,  after  a  reciprocal  communication  of  their  respective  full 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION 


26' 


with  Mexico,  wliicli  was  thus  terminatt'd  l)y  a  treaty 
of  j)t'ai't',  will  exert  a  vast  iiitluenc(;  over  the  tlestiiiy 
of  the  confederacy.     The  alacrity  with  which  the 

powers,  have,  under  the  protection  of  the  Almifjhty  God,  the  author  of 
peace,  arrnn|red,  Ufrrccd  upon,  and  signed  tlio  following 

Treaty  of  pence,  friendnhip,  limiin,  and  settlement,  between  the  United 
States  of  America  and  the  Mexican  Republic. 

"  ARTICLE    I. 

"  There  nhall  be  firm  and  universal  peace  between  the  United  States  of 
America  and  the  Mexican  Republic,  and  between  their  respective  coun- 
tries, territories,  cities,  towns,  and  people,  without  exception  of  places  or 
persons. 

"ARTICLE  n. 

"  Immediately  upon  the  signnluro  of  this  Treaty,  a  Convention  shall 
bo  entered  into  between  a  conimissionnr  or  commissioners,  appointed  by 
the  Cieneral-in-chief  of  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  and  such  us  may 
be  appointed  by  the  Mexican  (iovornment,  to  the  end  that  a  provisiniml  sus- 
pension of  hostilities  shall  tnkc  place,  and  that,  in  the  places  occupied  by 
the  said  forces,  constitiitioiiul  order  may  be  re-estnbiishcd,  as  regards  the 
political,  administtative,  and  judicial  branches,  so  faros  this  shall  be  per- 
mitted by  the  circumstances  of  military  occupation. 

"  ARTICLE    III. 

"  Immediately  upon  the  rntitication  of  the  present  treaty  by  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  Stales, orders  shall  be  transmitted  to  tliecnminamlers 
of  their  land  and  navnl  forces,  requiring  the  latter  (provided  this  iri'uty  shall 
then  liuve  been  ratified  by  the  Government  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  and 
the  ratilicatinns  exchanged)  immediately  to  desist  from  blockading  any 
Mexican  ports  ;  and  requiring  the  former  (under  the  same  condition)  to 
conunence  at  the  earliest  moment  pnicticable,  withdrawing  all  troops  of 
the  United  Stotes  then  in  the  interior  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  to  tlie 
points  that  shall  1x5  selected  by  common  agreement,  at  a  distance  from  the 
seaports  not  exceeding  thirty  leagues  ;  and  such  evacuation  of  the  interior 
of  the  Republic  shall  l)e  completed  with  tho  least  possible  delay  ;  the  Mex- 
ican (lovernment  hereby  binding  itself  to  iirford  every  facility  in  its  power 
for  rendering  the  same  convenient  to  i.iie  troops,  on  their  march  and  in 
their  new  positions,  and  for  promoting  a  gcMxi  understanding  Ix'tween  them 
and  the  iuliabitaiits.  In  like  inii::iier,  orders  shall  be  dispatched  to  the  per- 
sons in  charge  of  the  custom-houses,  at  all  ports  occupied  by  the  forces 


JASPKU   i-I]iUAU\, 

<>r^  111!  March  1.1»5*1, 

Iiist'i  Apr,  :2«'  1JM7, 


2>)R 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


vi»Iiiiito('rH  ni.slicd  to  tlie  staiuliu'd  of  their  country, 
jiikI  \nnv  it  ul(»ft  into  the  heart  of  the  enemy's  ter- 
ritory, umi  the  giiUuntry  with  which  they  preserved 

uft'uj  UiiiUid  SuiU'K,  re<|iiirinf;  them  (iiniler  the  same  romlition)  iiiii.i> 
(liuloly  to  ilclivcr  pfmricmtion  of  the  saine  to  tlio  persons  niitlii>ri/.(!il  liy  tlie 
.Mc.'iicati  tidvcriiirifiit  to  roci'ive  it,  together  witli  all  bonds  atid  t'viil,  .ires 
ol  c'cliiH  lor  (liitif.-H  on  impofjitions  and  on  exportiitions,  not  yet  fulli-i  duo. 
M(in>over,  n  liiiltifnl  iind  exact  nRcinint  slinll  Ix;  made  out,  Nhowin),'  tlie 
entire  luiiount  ofali  diitieH  on  imriorts  and  on  exports  collected  at  such  cub- 
toin-lioiiherf,  or  elwvvliere  in  .Mexico,  by  authority  of  the  United  Slates, 
from  and  after  the  day  of  the  ratilication  or  ■..jis  Treaty  by  the  (ioverninent 
of  the  Mexiran  Kepiiblic  ;  and  also  on  account  of  tlie  cost  of  collection; 
and  such  entire  nmoiint,  deducting  only  the  cost  of  collection,  shall  1k<  di> 
livered  to  the  Mexican  (loveriirnent,  nt  the  city  of  Mexico,  within  three 
'  lontliM  after  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications. 

"  The  evacuation  of  tlie  capitjil  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  by  the 
tnyijiH  of  thi-  United  States,  in  virtue  of  the  above  stipulati'.)ii>.  shall  l<e 
coiiijilrted  in  i.ne  month  after  the  orders  there  stipulated  lor  shall  have 
been  received  >y  the  commander  of  said  troops,  or  sooner  if  possible. 

"auticle  IV. 

"  Immediately  after  the  exchange  of  ratifications  of  the  present  treaty^ 
all  ca^tlec,  forts,  territories,  places,  and  possessions,  which  have  Iwen 
tiiken  or  (H'cupieii  iiy  the  forces  of  the  United  States  during  the  presont 
war,  within  the  limits  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  as  alxmt  to  U'  eslalilii-lied 
by  the  lollowin.^  article,  shall  lie  dofiiiitely  restored  to  the  said  Rcpniilic, 
together  with  all  the  artillery,  arms,  apparatus  of  war,  mi.nitioiis.  and 
other  public  property,  which  wore  in  the  .said  castles  and  forts  when 
Ciiptiired  and  which  shall  rciiiaiii  there  at  the  time  when  this  treaty  shall 
be  duly  ralifu'd  by  the  (invernmont  of  the  Mexican  Repullic.  To  this 
end,  immediati'Iy  upon  the  signature  of  this  treaty,  orders  shall  1k'  dis- 
patched to  tlir  American  officers  commanding  such  castles  and  forts,  secur- 
ing iigaiiint  the  removal  or  destruction  of  any  such  artillery,  arms,  apparatus 
of  war,  miinilinns,  or  other  piililic  property.  The  city  of  Jlexico  within 
the  inrii  1  line  of  inlrenchments  surrounding  the  said  city,  is  compre- 
hended in  the  alKJve  stipulations,  as  regards  tJie  restoration  of  artillery, 
apparatus  of  wnr,  4c. 

"The  linal  cMiciiation  of  the  territory  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  by 
the  forces  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  completed  in  three  ri0:iths  from 
the  -aid  exchange  of  ri'tifications,  "r  sooner  if  possible:  the  Mexican 
Government  hereby  engaging,  as  in  t.e  foregoing  article,  to  use  all  means 


POLK     A  DM  IW  ISTU  ATIOjf  . 


269 


if-<  folds  unsulllt'd  in  the  midst  of  cnrnaE^f*  and 
siaiiglitt'r,  stainin'tl  tlie  Ameriraiis  as  the  most  mili- 
tary nation  of  modern  time-i.     Tliere  wan  no  nt'ces- 

in  \U  ]KiwPT  for  faoililntinf;  biicIi  evacimtion,  and  rpiidcritifr  it  (■oiivcnieiit 
to  lh»"  triKipH,  and  for  proinoting  a  gfxxl  uiider8Uuidiiif{  lx;tweeii  llit-m  and 
lin'  inhaliitflnU*. 

■'  If,  however,  the  ratification  of  this  treaty  hy  both  parties  cliould  not 
l»ke  plnre  in  time  to  allow  tlie  enil)arl<!ilion  of  tliu  troops  of  tlio  United 
Hfflles  to  Ih"  (•on\plote<l  Imfore  the  coinincnceinent  of  the  .sickly  sonson  at 
IIm!  Mexican  ports  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  in  kmcIi  cane  a  friendly  arranjie- 
fwnt  Khali  be  entered  into  tetween  the  (jencral-in-chief  of  the  said  tr(H)ps 
and  the  Mexican  Ooveriiment,  whereby  healthy  and  ollierwi«e  Hiiitable 
pl«r««.  n'  u  (liHtjince  from  the  ports  not  exceeding  tliirty  leajrues,  shall  be 
desiifiiated  for  the  residence  of  such  troops  as  may  not  yet  have  cfiihiirked, 
until  the  return  of  the  healthy  season.  And  the  space  of  time  here  re- 
fwrrpd  to  ns  comprehcndin<;  the  sickly  season,  shall  be  iinderstcxxl  to  ex- 
tend from  the  first  day  of  May  to  the  first  day  of  Novemlicr. 

■  All  prisoners  of  war,  taken  on  either  side,  on  land  or  on  sea.  shall 
fip  restored  as  soon  as  practicabh  al\er  the  exchniijie  of  raliticaticns  ol 
this  treaty.  It  is  also  agreed,  that  if  any  Mexicans  should  now  Im-  held 
»n  captives  by  any  savage  tribe  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  as 
about  to  be  estfllilished  by  the  following  article,  the  (lovernment  of  the 
United  Stjitos  will  exast  the  release  of  such  captives,  and  cause  them  to 
be  restored  to  their  country. 


"ARTtCLK    V. 

"  T'le  boundary  line  between  the  two  Republics  shall  comnience  in 
the  (Julf  of  Mexico,  three  leagues  from  land,  opposite  the  mouth  of  the 
Rio  (f  riinde,  otherwise  called  Rio  Uravo  del  Norte,  or  opposite  the  mouth 
of  its  deepest  branch,  if  it  should  have  more  than  one  branch  emptying 
directly  into  the  sea,  from  thence  up  the  middle  of  that  river,  following 
the  deepest  channel,  where  it  has  more  than  one,  to  the  point  where  it 
St/ikes  the  southern  boundary  of  New  Mexico,  thence  westwardly  along 
the  whole  southern  Ijoundary  of  New  Mexico  (which  runs  north  of  the 
town  called  Paso)  to  its  western  termination ;  thence  northward  along  the 
western  line  of  New  Mexico  until  it  intersects  the  first  branch  of  the 
river  Giia,  (or  if  it  should  not  intersect  any  branch  of  that  river,  then  to 
the  point  on  the  snid  line  nearest  to  such  branch,  and  thence  in  a  direct 
line  to  the  same,)  thence  down  the  middle  of  the  said  branch  and  of  the 
said  river,  until  it  empties  into  the  Rio  Colorado ;  thence  across  the  Rio 


270 


niSTOHY     OF     THE 


sity  for  (liiiftini;,  or  of  rosortiiii^  to  the  services  of  a 
press-gaiij,'  to  till  the  ruiiks  of  the  aniiy ;  but  at  the 
fiist  roll  of  a  Mexican  drum  within  the  borders  of 


Coloniflo.  rnll()\viii{»  Um»  diviriion  line  b-.tween  ITppcr  uiid  Lower  (California 
to  tlio  I'iicitir  ()(!(>iin. 

"Till-  sKuili'Tii  and  western  liniito  of  N«tw  Mexico,  mentioned  in  this 
article,  arc  tho^*"  laid  down  in  the  iiksj)  enlitknl,  ■  Mai'  ok  the  Umtee 
Mexican  Htatk*.  us  urifiiiiizod  and  dci'uied  by  varions  Acts  of  the  (,'on- 
gronn  of  snid  Ri'piihlic,  and  const riiftcd  accordiiif;  ti>  llie  best  autlioriticH. 
Revised  edition.  I'lihlislied  at  New- York,  in  1847,  by  J.  Distnrncil.'  Of 
wliicli  map  a  -^opy  is  .iddod  to  tiiis  treaty,  liearinj;  the  sijrnatnres  and  seals 
of  ibe  nndersifrncd  pli'ii!|)olent'ar.es.  And.  in  ordi'r  to  preclude  all  diffi- 
culty in  tracirij.'  n|K)n  the  j;roiuid  the  limit  scparatin};  Upper  from  Ij)wer 
Ciilifornia,  it  is  u<;recd  that  the  said  limit  shall  consist  of  a  strai^rht  line 
drawn  from  the  middle  of  the  Rio  (iila,  where  it  nniles  with  the  Colorado, 
to  a  ((oiiil  on  the  coast  of  the  Pacific  ocean,  <listance  one  marine  Icagne 
due  south  of  the  southernmost  |X)int  of  the  pirt  Sun  Diego,  according  to 
the  plan  of  said  port  made  in  tiii>  year  178;J,  by  Don  Jnan  I'antoja,  second 
gailinir-niastor  of  the  Hpanish  Heet.  and  published  at  Miid'id  in  the  year 
180'J,  in  the  Atlas  to  the  voyage  of  the  schooners  Sutil  and  Mexicana,  of 
which  plan  a  copy  is  hereunto  uddi'd,  signed  and  scaled  by  tin-  resiwctive 
pleni|K)teiitiarieB. 

'•  In  order  to  designate  the  Ixiundary  lino  witli  Aue  precision,  upon 
authoritative  maps,  and  to  establish  u|x)n  the  ground  landmarks  which 
shall  show  the  limits  of  both  Republics,  as  descrilx-d  in  the  present  article, 
the  two  (iuviTiiments  shall  each  appoint  a  coniniissioner  and  a  surveyor, 
who,  l)efore  the  expiration  of  one  year  from  the  date  of  the  exchange  of 
ratifications  of  this  treaty,  shall  iii''et  at  the  port  of  San  Diego,  and  pro- 
ceed to  run  and  mark  the  said  boiindar"  in  its  whole  course  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Rio  Bravo  del  Norte.  They  .liall  keep  journals  and  make  out 
plans  of  their  opemtions ;  and  the  result  agreed  upon  by  them  shall  be 
deemed  a  part  of  this  treaty,  and  shall  have  the  .same  force  as  if  it  were 
in.serted  therein.  The  two  (iovernments  will  amicably  agree  regarding 
what  may  lie  necessary  to  tlie.se  persons,  and  also  as  to  their  resjiective 
escorts,  should  f  uch  be  necessary. 

"  The  Ihinndary  line,  establi.-hed  by  this  article,  shall  be  religiously 
respected  by  each  of  the  two  Republics,  and  no  change  shall  ever  he 
made  therein,  except  by  the  express  and  free  consent  of  l)oth  nations, 
lawfully  given  by  the  General  Government  of  each,  in  conformity  with 
its  own  constitution. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


271 


the  Union,  the*  American  people  were  liter.-illy  in 
arms.  The  powei-s  of  Eurdpe,  who  had  regard  "(I  us 
merely  as  a  nation  of  tradere,  were  starth-il  liy  an 

"AmTlCLE   VI. 

"Thpvesselfl  nnd  citizpns  of  the  United  Htntes  nhall,  in  all  titnM, 
have  n  free  and  uninterrupted  pa.««aj;e  by  the  (iulf  of  (,'aliti)riti:i.  iiml  l)y 
the  river  Colorado  below  its  confluence  with  tlie  Gila,  to  and  from  tht-ir 
possessions  situated  north  of  the  boundary  line  defined  in  the  prercHing 
article ;  it  bcinfj  iinilerstood  that  tluH  imssape  is  to  be  by  imvi;,'atln!r  Uie 
Gulf  of  Californiii  and  the  river  Colorado,  and  uot  by  land,  without  the 
express  consent  of  the  Afexiran  Government. 

"  If,  by  the  examinations  whir h  may  be  made,  it  should  be  ascertained 
to  be  practicable  and  advantageous  in  construct  a  road,  canal,  or  nulway, 
which  should  in  whole  or  in  part  nui  upon  the  riviT  <iila.  or  u|Hin  its 
right  or  its  loft  bank,  within  the  space  of  one  luiiritic  leiigup  from  cither 
margin  of  the  river,  the  Governments  of  both  Republics  vvill  form  an 
agreement  regarding  its  construction,  in  ordei  that  it  may  servo  eijually 
for  the  use  and  advantage  of  both  countries. 

"  ARTICLE    VII. 

"  The  river  Gila,  and  the  part  of  the  Rio  Bravo  del  Norte,  lying  IkjIow 
the  southern  boundary  of  New  Alexico,  l)eing,  agreeably  to  the  fifth 
article,  divided  in  the  middle  between  the  two  Re[>c.blirs.  the  navigation 
of  the  (iila  and  of  the  Hravo  below  said  boundary  shall  b(!  free  and 
common  to  the  vessels  iMul  citizens  of  both  countries;  and  neither  shall, 
without  the  consent  ol  the  other,  c<instrnct  any  work  that  may  iiM[)e<lc 
or  interrupt,  in  whole  or  in  part,  the  exercise  of  th's  righl  :  not  even  for 
the  purpose  of  favoring  new  melhcxls  of  navigation.  Nor  shall  any  tax 
or  contribution,  under  any  denomination  or  title,  be  levied  upon  vessels, 
or  persons  navigating  the  -aine.  or  upon  merchandise  or  effcds  trans- 
ported thereon,  except  in  the  case  of  landing  up(m  one  of  their  chores. 
If,  for  the  purpose  of  making  said  rivers  navigable,  or  for  maintaining 
them  in  such  st.ate,  it  should  be  necessary  or  advantageous  to  establish 
any  lax  or  contribution,  this  shall  not  ho  done  without  the  consent  of  Ixjth 
Govermnrnls. 

"  The  stipulations  contained  in  the  present  article  shall  not  impair  the 
territorial  rights  of  either  Republic  within  its  established  limits. 

"  ARTICLE  vm. 
"  Mexicans   now  established    in   territories   previously  belonging  to 
Mexico,  and  which  reiauin  for  the  future  within  the  limits  of  th(!  United 


,f  AS  Pi:  11   J.liiiiAUV, 

Orjiaii'i  Mill  cJi  1.  lil*i-i  . 

lust*>  Ar-r.  2v^i  1H.17. 


272 


lIISTOnV     OF     THE 


exhiltitlon  of  military  eiitluisiii.sin,  uneijuullHl  since 
tbedays  of  the  cnisadt'M;  and  they  will  ])aa'H5  lie- 
fore  tliey  encroach  uj)on  the  rights  of  a  |)eoj)le  who 

StjitcH,  as  di-tineil  by  the  present  treaty,  shall  be  free  U>  ajiitinue  wliere 
tlicy  now  rt'.'.ido,  or  to  reiimve  at  any  time  to  tlie  Mexican  Ilepiiblic.  th- 
taiiiirii;  the  projx-rty  uliicli  they  |k>.sscsh  in  the  suid  terrilurieH,  or  diftpin-ing 
ihereol'.  and  removing  tlio  pr(K-ecds  wherever  they  pleaitc,  witliuut  tliejr 
being  buhjccted,  on  Uiia  account,  to  any  contribution,  tax,  or  clia/ge 
whatever. 

"  Tlioso  wlu)  shall  prefer  to  remain  in  the  said  territfjries,  in»y  either 
retain  thi'  title  and  rii;lits  of  Muxicun  citizens,  or  acv'irc  tlioitc  of  citi.rcns 
of  the  liilted  States.  Hut  tlicy  ^ilmll  bo  under  tie  ublij^ation  to  inake 
tlieir  election  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  ihf  excliange  of  ralitica- 
tions  of  this  treaty ;  and  those  who  shall  remain  in  tlie  said  territimes 
after  the  expiration  of  tiiat  year,  withoni  having  declared  tl)eir  intention 
to  retain  tin;  character  of  Mexicans,  shall  be  considered  to  Jjave  elected  to 
becoiiii'  citizens  of  the  United  Stales. 

"  In  the  said  territories,  property  of  every  kind,  now  belonging  to 
Mexican.^  not  established  there,  shall  1«  inviolably  ri^spected.  Ttie  pre- 
;;ent  owners,  the  heirs  of  these  and  all  Mexicans  who  may  licreaflcr 
accjiiire  said  property  by  contract,  shall  enjoy  with  respect  to  it  guarantees 
equally  ample,  as  if  the  same  belonged  to  tlie  citizens  of  tite  Umted 
States. 

"article  IX. 
"  The  ^iexicans  who,  in  the  territories  aforesaid,  sliall  not  pre«er>-e 
the  character  of  citizens  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  conformably  with 
what  is  stipiilutod  in  the  preceding  article,  shi!!  oe  incorporated  into  the 
Union  of  the  United  States,  and  \^o  admitted  at  the  proper  time  (to  be 
judged  of  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States)  to  the  enjoyment  of  all 
the  rights  of  citizens  of  the  United  Stiites,  according  to  tlie  principles  of 
the  constitution;  and  in  the  meantime  shall  be  maintained  and  protected 
in  the  free  enjoyment  of  their  liberty  and  property,  and  secured  ta  the 
free  exercise  of  their  religion  without  restriction. 


[Stricken  out.] 


'  ARTICLE   X. 


'ARTICLE    XI. 


"  Considering  that  a  groat  part  of  the  territories  whi^h,  by  the  prewnt 
treaty,  are  to  bo  comprehended  for  the  future  wiihin  the  limit*  of  the 
United  States,  is  now  occupied  by  savage  tribes,  who  will  hereafter  be 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION 


273 


are  so  reudy  to  wash  out  witli  ]»1(xmI  ever}'  .stain  u))- 
oii  the  iiiitioiuil  lioiior.  The  iiio-.t  eH'eetual  way  to 
prevent  aggressions,  Is  not  only  to  jxjaw^-ss  sulHcient 

under  tlii^  exclusive  control  ot  the  Govpni:ncnt  of  the  United  Htntcs,  and 
wliu.-'C  inciirHi<>n»  within  tlie  t(>rrilory  o(  Mexico  would  lie  prejudicial  in 
llio  I'xtroiiii',  it  is  wileuinly  u;frec<l  tliat  ull  «u<h  incurnioai  shall  Ix!  forcibly 
rostmiiicd  liy  the  fiovernniPiit  of  the  I'liited  States  when.«oever  lliU  may 
Ix'  necessary  ;  and  that  w  hen  ihey  cannot  Le  prevented,  they  .shall  bo 
punished  liy  the  said  (iuvcrnment,  and  satii^faction  for  the  same  shall  be 
exacted  all  in  the  saino  way.  and  with  Kjtial  diliwnce  and  energy  as  if 
tJie  same  incursions  were  meditated  or  conuiiitlcd  within  its  own  territory, 
against  its  own  citizens. 

"  It  shall  not  be  lawful,  under  any  pretext  whatever,  for  any  inhabi- 
tant of  tlio  United  States  to  purchase  or  aojiiirc  any  .Mexican  or  any 
foreiffiier  residing  in  Mexico,  who  may  liave  been  captured  by  Indiana 
inhabiting  the  territory  of  either  of  the  two  Republics,  nor  to  purclm.sc  or 
acquire  horses,  mules,  cattle,  or  property  of  any  kind,  stolen  within  Mex- 
ican territory  by  such  Indians. 

"  And  in  the  event  of  any  person  or  pcrwjns,  raptured  withiii  Mexican 
territory  by  Indians,  lx?ing  carried  into  the  territory  of  the  United  Slates, 
tlio  (joverinnent  of  llie  latter  engages  and  binds  itself  in  the  most  solemn 
manner,  so  soon  as  it  ihall  know  of  such  capti^x-a  bfring  within  its  ter- 
ritory, anil  sliall  bo  able  so  to  do  through  t)ic  faithful  exercise  of  its  in- 
fluence and  power,  to  rescue  ttiem  and  return  tliem  to  their  country,  or 
deliver  them  to  the  agent  or  represenUitive  of  tlic  Mexican  Government. 
The  .Me.vican  authorities  will,  as  far  as  practicable,  give  to  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  StJites  notice  of  such  captures  ;  and  its  afjent  shall 
pay  the  "xpenses  incurred  in  the  maintenance  and  transmission  of  tho 
re.scued  captives;  who,  in  the  meantime,  iliall  be  treated  with  the  utmost 
hospitalily  by  the  American  authorities  at  tlie  place  where  they  may  lie; 
but  if  tiio  Government  of  the  United  .States,  before  receiving  such  notice 
from  Mexico,  should  obtain  intelligence  thrcugh  any  other  channel  of  the 
existence  of  .Mexicai>  captives  within  its  territory,  it  will  prfx;ec(l  forth- 
with to  ctTect  their  release  and  delivery  to  the  )lesican  agent  as  above 
stipulated. 

"  For  the  purpose  of  giving  to  these  stipulations  the  fullest  possible 
efficacy,  thereby  afTording  the  security  and  redress  d  -rnandcd  by  their  true 
spirit  and  intent,  the  (jovernment  of  the  United  Stat/;s  will  now  and  here- 
after poss,  without  unnecessary  delay,  and  always  vigilantly  enforce,  such 
laws  as  tho  nature  of  tho  subject  may  require.  And  finally,  the  .sacred- 
ness  of  this  obligjition  shall  never  Ix?  lost  fcight  of  by  tlie  said  Government 

M 


271 


HIBTt't:^    ••kt»     TITB 


aliility,  l>ut  the  retjuwru  tinndtit  of  military  ardor 
to  resent  tlieiii.  ll  i^'Hw•  .luvt  tlu>  war  cost  the 
I'liited  States  a  laijLre  luintuit"  of'  money;  and  what 

when  providing  for  tlic  remuva;  dl  Im*  [WitJaTi*  'Vnm  any  portion  of  tho  said 
territoriri^.  or  lor  lis  U-inj.'  mHIhk'  *►■ -^fiji/yn*  nf  rli*-  fnilrd  Sfntps,  but  on 
the  contrary,  Hp<?(;iul  oire  ciiuujc!  i»  j^|i»>ri  itof  to  plarn  itx  Imtian  orriipimts 
under  tlie  nfcenBlty  of  mjekiuf;  j*"™?  a«Vi*«i.  Iiv  rommiItin<»  tho«o  invasions 
wiiicli  the  United  Slale^  Uai-  »>a»«i»«rtt:>.tM»f5C<1  thcmsplves  to  restmin. 

"  In  consideration  of  tl<o«ttw»»<i(»»  :ir>|airi>r)  liy  thft  boiindaries  of  the 

United  iSlutes.  uh  deliued  iii  tJ*  tUU  iirfVlf*  i>f  thfl  present  treaty,  the  CJo- 
verniiient  ol  tlie  1'mU.il  SiaUi^  t^sj^ta  lo  psy  to  tliat  of  the  AMexican  Re- 
public thesiiiiiuf  iiflueii  liiiiiiwu."  if'.MWft, 

'•  liM'iiedmlely  alter  liut-  lr«»U  .(Ml  !*«•»»  l)«vn  (hily  ratitied  by  tlie  Go- 
vcnuiient  of  tlie  Mexican  K*'^<(»Jlvi>',  th^  -tntn  of  three  millions  of  dollars 
sliall  Ix-  |mid  to  liic  buid  (ju\vrMMf)r;*r  'l««t  of  rlie  United  States,  at  tho 
city  of  Mexico,  in  llie  gold  «i  Hnwf  .-.lin  of  .Mexico.  The  remaining 
twelve  luiliiuns  of  dollar.'-  lOial'  i«  ^  .i»  >h^  inme  place  and  in  the  satnc 
coin,  in  unniial  iniitaUueotn  ul  Utff  iM4fi«ino  of  dollars  each,  together  with 
interest  ;m  the  saiue,  at  tl«'  ui*:<f'.  .4*  iiirr  irentum  |)er  annum.  This  in- 
terest !,liall  Ix'jrin  lo  run  u;HMt  U*>  ♦t(i*t»r  Jiim  of  twelve  millions  from  the 
day  of  the  ratification  ol  ti*>  pr-Jrvra  rr^fv  liy  the  .Mexican  (Jovernment, 
and  the  lirst  u(  the  insialiii'.-;  ■  '  it  the  expiration  of  one  year 

from  the  same  day.  Togetu,-  .„i.  .„,,  ,,,,,  ...1  ,ii.talment  as  it  falls  due, 
the  whole  intereHt  accruuig  m-*^i-  ■.m>A\nmnt  I'rom  the  Ix-ginning  shall 
also  he  paid. 

"The  I'nited  States  eugujp.,w(^wrf»r:  (o  assume  and  pay  totlio  claim- 
ants all  the  amount-  now  diw  tMw  i«4  thwR  hereafter  to  Iwcome  duo,  by 
reason  of  the  claiuii-  alreaidy  ^iiMMMt  ,>«•♦  decided  naainBt  the  Mexican 
Republic,  under  the  convii-BijwMf  *ifi»»vr>  the  two  Republics  severally 
concluded  on  the  cleveutii  di>  '*  x"»#tt.  .'ighfeen  hundred  and  thirty-nine, 
and  on  the  ibirteentli  day  o'.  Jmtmy:.  ,^ghteer,  hundred  and  forty-three; 
so  that  the  Mexican  Kepublj<  HuAi'lfi  irhsniiitely  exempt,  for  the  future, 
from  all  expense  whatever  u<i  *w»#«i'<if  the  snid  claims. 

*■  .,/iimmm  lav. 

"The  United  States' do fiirtil*ii>ii««rt»  (Biirhariie  llm  Mexican  Republic 
from  all  <laini>i  ol  litixens  <}'  |^  .'Ufifert  State",  not  heretofore  decided 
airainst  the  Mexican  Goveriiiii*t«:  ^tyi^^h  mav  have  arisen  previously  to 
llie  date  of  the  signature  gl  ,tei^;i(RaJf ;  iwhich  discharge  shall  be  final  and 


fOt.K      A  DMINISTUATION. 


275 


i«  'if  fur  tftf/Tf  Irrifiortancf,  tlic  lives  of  many  men* 
'I'Lat.  Ii(^y»(<'vc-r,  wa--  tlie  inevitaltle  result  of  a  vincli- 
cati<yft  <yf  iibdr  national  honor.     The  nnmlter  (if  tro(tp8 

pfTjwtim'.  wVfhiM'  fh(>  laid  rlaims  he  rojocted  or  he  nllnwedby  the  Bonrd 
of  Ojuiuiiw  I  '  i>*'  '  ,•  ;i)i>H  for  in  the  following  article,  and  whotever  shall 
be  tin-VjUi<  itiuMHU    ,1   fhf)«f>  allow  I'll. 

"  ARTIILF.    XV. 

"  Ti»»-  (."nf.»it  Aatc*.  pxonerafinc  M".xlcii  from  all  deinanils  on  account 
of  tbf  tibuttK  ;(  chi*ir  citizens  mentioned  in  the  preceding  article,  and  con- 


•  "TTIK  RK(;i;i,AR  ARMY. 
"  Wli«l»n<i»nf  A  •»how-i.  on  the  extreme  riirht,  in  the  first  line  of  figures, 
tLe  Blrw>i<ij  *(■  rhi»  army  at  the  commencement  of  hostilitifs  ivltli  the  Re- 
public <.•!  N«->,i)i-i.  April.  IHXft,  7,-JH.  The  force  on  the  fnintier  of  Texas, 
May.  l*i*<.',  jiw«*nr  ;)nri  .ih-ient.  S^WI,  of  wliich  131  were  sick.  Troo|w 
sent  i.'j  Mfj,i»r,  ncliiHin'i'  recruit.-'. -JS. I  :l(i,  of  which  12,551  are  of  the  old 
ert«llll^duu»ntt..^n^l  l'i..>!5  new  regiments,  which,  with  the  force  on  the  Rio 
Onuid''  tti  Wlv^.  Il*t»?,  makes  the  whole  number  of  the  regular  army  em- 
ployed ^"vw  iwVtT^  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war,  inchisiveof  Decenilwr, 
1«4".  ttlK.nr  iKiWO.  hesules  a  hnftalion  of  marines,  (350.)  Twenty-iiine 
tiiounuiid  «i>iv  ,\tiui»  lleen  recruited  since  the  13thoflMay,  181(1.  and 
SJ3.ii»*.' wriui  *v  M^dc.o,  which  exceed.s  the  number  joined  as  reported  on 
the  rutU  mmI  aMnnut,  many  of  which  are  wanting.     (See  the  Table  "  Re- 

"TWe  tiMBMV  thi'»  I  fhitt  the  refrular  force  in  Mexico,  New  Jlexico, 
amtCMfinm,  mmr'm  ik<  >  mher,  about  21,202  ;  and  since  the  1st  of  Ja- 
■■My.  2.4!Wt  inwwwri*  have  been  ?cnt  to  tlir  army,  which  increases  the  re- 
fwhtr  imtijf»  iw  aJt  Mexico,  it  is  estimated,  to  about  23,695.  The  six  oom- 
pRuie*  stai,ii.ni»i<l  ;n  the  f'nired  States.  C55fi,)  and  1,200  recruits  in  depot 
aiid  at  r»-ri4Ha»i',i«i«.  'Total  1,760,)  carry  up  the  regular  army  every  where, 
OD  the  nil'  V  ^hftiw  iJ  ii5. 

Ta'jlt  B  yf*.^i»l*  %  ^vailed  view  of  the  number  of  officers  and  men  of 
tlie  regulur  vmvf  killed  wwl  wontided  in  battle,  died  of  wounds  from  the 
firKt  ci.uifliiit  >!((  rhi»  rpconnoitering  party,  under  Captain  Thornton,  on  the 
left  bauk  m'  ^lU  Kio  fJrande,  .April  25.  1816.  to  the  close  of  the  campaign 
of  1  Hi',  uj  wHit'.li  rhe  bottles,  and  the  regiments  and  corps  engaged,  are 
ijpetuliml" 

CASUALTIES. 

"OM  BxuMittoent. — Discharges  by  expiration  of  service,  1,435; 
fordisabiltlf.WT;  !w  nrderand  civil  iiutliority,  253.     Total,  2,575. 

"  Utsaliit. — KdlM  in  battle,  45  otTicers,   134  men.     Died  of  wounds,  19 


lASPKU  J- i  Jill  All  V, 


276 


H  I  8  T  O  K  Y     OF     THE 


whicli  wore  oallt'd  into  sc rvioe,  won  small,  when  we 
take  inti)  fousidiTatiDU  tlie  inai'iutudc  of  the  stiug- 
g\v  in  whicli  we  were  engaged.     Ot' that  nuinher, 

Riilcriiip  tlipm  entirely  nnd  forever  eaiicelled,  wlintover  their  ainoiiiit  may 
\h\  iiiidertiikL'  to  inui<o  Hi.tisfaction  for  the  Haine,  to  an  unioiint  not  excced- 
inir  tliree  iiiul  one  (nmrter  iiiillioiiH  of  dollnra.  To  nacertiiin  the  validity 
and  anxnint  of  those  claiiiis,  a  Hoard  of  CutnuiiHiiionerH  Khali  l)e  estiil)li-<lied 
by  the  (Jovernnient  of  the  United  States,  wHohc  awards  shall  be  final  and 

officers,  331  men.  Total  killed  and  died  of  wounds.  Hi  olUrers,  7()5  men ; 
ordinary  deaths, -l-lofticcrs,  1787  men.  Total  deaths,  108  otlicer.i,  2,553 
men.  Ajrfjreifate,  '2,V>tiO.  Wounded  in  battle,  130  officers,  1,7!M>  men. 
Ag^rre^rnte,  1,'Ji!!).  Resijrnations.  32,  in  1840  and  1847.  Desertions, 
l,ti37,  of  which  Dare  marines. 

"Additional  Regiments. — Discharges  by  expiration  of  service,  2;  for 
disability,  248  ;  by  order  and  civil  authority,  66.  TotJil,  30ti.  Deaths. — 
Killed  in  battle,  ti  officers,  (i2  men.  Died  of  wounds,  4  officers,  71 
men.  Total  killed  and  died  of  wounds,  10  otficors,  133  men.  Ordinary 
deaths.  38  officers,  !)77  men.  Total  deaths,  38  officers,  1,1 10  men.  Ag- 
gregate, 1,148.  Wounded  in  battle,  41  officers,  427  men.  Aggregate, 
468.     Resignations,  76 ;  desertions,  446, 

THE  VOLUNTKER  SERVICE. 
"  Statement  C  exhibits  in  detail,  by  States,  regiments,  and  corps,  the 
whole  number  of  volunteers  mustered  into  the  service  from  May,  1846 — 
of  which  15,911  are  mounted  men,  1,164  artillery,  and  54,234  infantry  ; 
making  an  aggregate  of  7 1 ,309,  including  3,087  commissioned  officers. 
From  this  number  it  is  proper  to  deduct  the  force  not  called  out  by  autho- 
rity of  the  War  Department,  nor  called  out  under  the  Act  of  May  13, 
1846,  and  also  the  nmnber  mustered  ;  but  soon  after  discharged  as  super- 
numerary. This  class  is  embraced  in  the  three  and  six  months'  men, 
and  two  regiments  of  twelve  months'  men  from  Ohio  and  Missouri,  and 
one  company  from  Iowa,  amounting  to  14,383  ;  of  which  2,''74  were  dis- 
charged a  few  days  after  being  mustered  into  service,  (except  the  com- 
pany,) not  being  required  to  proceed  to  the  seat  of  war.  Deducting  this 
class  of  volunteers  from  the  aggregate  mustered  and  paid,  (71,309,)  the 
force  enrolled  under  the  Act' of  May  13,  1846,  and  under  the  5tb  section 
of  March  3,  1847,  which  authorizes  the  President  to  accept  the  services 
of  "  individual  volunteers,"  to  fill  vacancies,  &,c.,  is  about  66,926  officers 
and  men.  But  this  number  was  farther  reduced  by  discharges,  tc.  be- 
fore the  battalions  had  left  the  United  States  ;  and  it  is  probable  the  nam- 


POLK     ADMINISTUATIPN. 


277 


hut  a  small  poi-tion  t'liconntfred  the  enemy  in  the 
field  ;  and  that  gallant  band  in  less  than  seventeen 
months,  repulsed  an  arrogant  foe  from  our  soil,  fol- 

conclusivo  :  prnrulfd,  that  in  ileci(1iii[r  upon  the  vsilidily  of  rnch  clniin,  the 
Bonrd  shall  he  guided  and  governed  hy  the  principles  and  rules  of  dreisinn 
prescrihed  hy  tlio  first  and  fifth  articles  of  the  unratified  convention,  con- 
cluded at  the  city  of  Mexico  on  the  twentieth  day  uf  Nuvenih<!r,  one 


her  exceeded  hut  little,  if  any,  60,000  men,  when  put  en  route  for  the 

army. 

"  So  far  as  can  ho  nsccrtaincd  from  the  hiteat  returns  received,  it 
appears  that  the  volunteer  force  for  the  war  and  for  twelve  months,  (2,017) 
now  employed  in  Mexico,  New  Mexico,  and  California,  ('J5,2(iO)  and 
eleven  companies  (1,082)  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  the  sick 
included,  amounts  to  l,(5(i  olTifers  and  2t,H8(i  men;  aggregate,  2tJ,342, 
being  7,689  less  than  the  number  of  the  same  regiments  and  companies 
(war  men)  when  first  mustered  into  service.  Uut  this  difference  does 
not  show  the  actual  los.s ;  first,  because  the  greater  number  of  the  indi- 
vidual volunteers  enrolled,  (i.  e.  recruited,)  among  which  there  is  much 
loss,  had  not  joined  their  regiments  at  the  date  of  the  last  returns,  and 
were  not,  of  course,  taken  up  on  the  rolls,  hut  they  are  included  in  the 
table,  in  the  aggregate  "  received  into  service."  And  second,  the  casu- 
alties, i.  c.,  discharges  and  deaths  (ordinary)  exhibited  in  the  statement, 
must  he  considerably  under  the  actual  innnlwr,  owing  to  the  missing 
muster  rolls  yet  due  from  many  of  the  regiments,  from  which  the  infor- 
mation aloiiB  can  be  obtained. 

"  Table  I)  presents  a  detailed  view  of  the  volunteer  officers  and  men 
killed  anil  wounded  in  battle,  and  died  of  wounds,  in  which  the  .several 
battles,  the  regiments  engaged,  and  the  Slates  where  raised,  are  s|)ecified, 
and  may  be  regarded  as  supplemental  to  statement  C,  as  table  B  is  to 
statement  A,  with  res|)ecl  to  llio  regular  forces. 

"  The  following  general  statement  presents  a  condensed  view  of  the 
various  objects  of  inquiry  rcs|)octing  the  volunteer  forces,  seen  in  detail 
in  the  tiibiilar  statement  C. 

"  Three  montlis'  men  ;  The  strength  when  mustered  into  service  was 
1,390,  when  discharged  I  .'.2()it,  being  a  loss  of  121.  Discharges  before 
the  expiration  of  the  term,  H2,  of  which  3  were  for  di.<ability.  Deaths, 
18;  ordinary,  8;  kilhd  in  bailie  and  died  of  wounds,  10.     Desertions,  22. 

"  Six  mcntlis'  men,  (but  held  only  for  throe  months,  the  legal  term  :) 
Strength  when  mi.stereil  into  service,  11,150.  and  when  (liscliar;.'ed, 
9,559;  loss,  1,591.     Discharjjes  before  the  expiration  of  the  term,  826, 


278 


II  I  8  TO  HY      OF     THE 


lowed  liis  retiviitiiii,'  footsteps,  stoniiiii<,'  liis  eitiea, 
driving  liiiii  from  his  strongholds,  and  defeiitiiig  his 
tr(joi)s  iu  the  open  field,  against  tremendous  odds, 

thnimnnd  ni(;ht  liiimlrcd  and  forty-tlirou ;  and  in  no  ciiho  hIiiiII  iui  iiwiird  be 
nmdo  in  I'livor  of  any  cluiin  nut  oiiibriu'.cd  by  thoxo  principlcx  and  riilt!*. 

"  If,  in  the  iipiniiin  of  tliu  niiid  Doiird  of  ('<iiiiinii<ni(iiiurs  ur  of  IIk;  cliiim- 
anti',  any  IxMikH,  records,  or  docimifnln  in  llio  ixwcciiHiim  or  |)<)Wf'r  of  llio 

of  wliicli  37U  were  for  disability.  DouthH,  127;  ordinary,  107;  killod  in 
battle  and  died  of  wunnds,  (i ;  accidental,  14  ;  di'.scrtioii.'t,  52 1. 

"  Twelve  niontlm'  men  :  Stn.'njjtii  when  iniiMieri-d  into  service,  •Jtl,3  it ; 
wlien  diKciiarfjed,  |H,72t ;  loi«H,7,li'J(»,  includir>);  loss  or  dillerenre  In'twoon 
original  and  prenent  s'.reii},'tli  of  21  coiiipunies  twelve  months'  men  Hiiil 
in  Kervict",  2,017  strong  at  the  lust  returns.  Discharges  iH-tbrn  the  expi- 
ration of  the  term,  4,;i91,  of  which  :i,9fl()  were  for  disability.  DeatliH, 
2,111  ;  ordinary,  l,()33  ;  killed  in  battle  and  died  of  w.Mmds,  123;  acci- 
dental, 65.     Desertions,  6W. 

"Vohinteers  for  the  war  :  There  are  now  31  regiments,  (or  erpial  to  or 
itinny)  and  4  companies  in  service — the  aggregate  strength  of  which, 
when  innstered  under  calls  from  the  War  Department,  respectively  dated 
June  2f!,  184(i,  (1  regiment,)  Novemlx;r  Hi,  184(i,  (equal  to  8  regiments 
and  a  companies,)  April  lil,  1847,  (ecpuil  to  7  regimonls  and  2  compa- 
nies.) August  2(i,  1HI7,  (5  regiments.)  Oclol)er  H,  1847,  (2  regiment'.) 
and  at  various  other  dates  (equal  to  7  regiments  and  7  companies.)  was 
31,914,  being  2.()26  less  than  if  all  the  regiments  and  companies  had  Im^ch 
full  as  authorized  by  law.  Strength  at  the  last  returns,  ofiicers,  1,357; 
men,  22,!)(>8  ;  aggregate,  24,325 ;  reduced  by  this  date  probably  less  than 
20,000.  Discharges,  1,339.  of  which  1,084  were  for  <lisability.  Deaths, 
1,691  ;  to  wit,  ordinary,  1,481  ;  killed  in  battle  and  died  of  wounds,  171  ; 
accidental,  39.     Desertions,  1,770. 

"  Tiic  casualties  incident  to  the  whole  numter  of  volnnteere,  under 
various  periods  of  service,  so  far  as  can  bo  ascertained  from  the  rolls  re- 
ceived, are  as  follows,  viz. — Discharges  for  the  expinition  of  the  fenn, 
6,038,  of  which  5,423  were  for  disability.  Deaths,  3,!i47,  to  wit,  ordi- 
nary, 3.229;  killod  in  iinttio,  47  officers  and  419  men;  died  of  wounds, 
167  officers  and  men,  as  far  as  now  ascertained,  108 ;  accidentally  wounded, 
129  officers,  1.217  men,     Resignations,  275.     Desertions,  2,884. 

"  Table  K  presents  i  detailed  statement  of  the  volunteers  on  the  rolls 
for  service  in  Mexico,  New  Mexico,  and  California,  including  eleven  com- 
panies (1,082)  within  the  United  States,  according  to  the  latest  returns, 
to  wit,  6,527   horse,  297  artillery,  20,518  infantry,  making  a  total  of 


POLK     A  I>  M  I  X  I  s  r  RATION. 


270 


until  tluf  nijtitiil  iind  Ut'ituMic  *>(  IMcxiro  were  ut 
tht)  iiKTcy  of  our  victorious  aiiiiH.  A  pcaoc  ciiHucd, 
wliidi  jn'oduct'd  u  disnK'inl)crni(.'nt  of  the  M»'xi«'tiii 

(Jovpnitnont  of  tlio  Mexican  Rppuhlir,  rIiiiII  bo  donniod  iipccd^'ftry  to  ttio 
jiiKt  (Iccixiiin  of  ntiy  cliiim,  llio  coinmiHuioiiorH,  or  tlic  rliiiiimiit«  tliroii^>li 
tlictii,  hIiiiII,  williiii  Miicli  pcriixl  uh  ('<(ii);rpsH  mny  deHiirimto,  iniikc  an  np- 
lilicntion  in  writin;;  for  tlic  wmio,  nddrcHspd  to  llio  .Mexican  Miiiislcr  for 
Fori'i(^ii  AlViiirH,  to  bo  ImiiHniitted  by  tlio  Socrctury  of  Stnlo  of  the  llnitrd 
Htatt.'H ;  rind  tiio  Moxicn,'  (iovornnicnt  enfrii(»0H,  at  Iho  oarlioMt  jMH^ildo 
monicnt  uftcr  tbo  rocnipt  of  hiicIi  dcninnd,  to  caiiso  any  of  the  lionki',  ru- 
corln,  or  diicinniMitH,  ho  H|K>(-ili(il,  \vlii(  li  Hball  Ih<  in  their  po^iHessinn  or 
power  (or  aiilbcnticated  copieH  or  extractH  of  the  rumio,)  to  Im-  transinilled 
tu  tim  Kaid  Hecretnry  of  Stute,  wbo  Hball  inniiudiately  didiver  tbein  over 
to  tbo  haid  Hoard  of  CotninixHioncrs :  prinidid,  tbat  no  sncb  applicalioii 
■ball  Im>  Mindi!  by,  or  at  tbo  inNtaiu'c  of,  any  chiiinaiit,  nntil  tbo  factx  wbirh 
it  is  ex[«'cted  to  prove  by  kiicIi  lKH)i«H,  records,  or  docunientH,  bhull  buvo 
boon  Ntatcd  under  uutb  or  ollirnmtioii. 

"  AIITK.'I.E    XVI. 

"  Kacb  of  tlic  contracting  particH  reserves  to  itsulf  tiio  entire  rifjiil  to 
fortify  wliatover  point  witiiin  its  territory  it  may  jndiro  proper  so  tolortify, 
for  its  Hociirity. 

24,HH(i  Mien,  and  l,t60  comnussioned  olTicers;  nirifreffale,  2(),:UJ,  of 
wiiii'b  2,017  are  twelve  niontiis"  volunteers.  Tiiis  view  incliidi's  ulisiMit 
men  recruited  niidor  liic  law  of  isiV,  iTiany  of  wiioni  will  never  join,  and 
08  is  already  remarked,  it  is  believed  that  the  actiuil  strenf^li  of  roffiinents 
and  companies  in  tbo  field  d<H-s  not  exceed  lid.ooo  men,  inclinlJM};  a 
numerous  invalid  list.  Tbe  forces  called  out  by  refiinients,  ami  separate 
or  indi  "  !' I.;  companies,  and  now  in  service,  cipial  'i'.\  re;;iiiienls  and 
1  batt  linn,  aii'l  require  not  less  than  15,000  men  to  complete  tbo  (^stab- 
liAhrnc  t. 

"  Oi.'.iernl  aiid  "talTofliccrs  provided  for  tbo  volunteer  troops: — Tbo 
nuinl>er  oi  j'iik  .ul  and  stall' olficor.<  appointed  for  tbo  volunteer  forces  mwlvx 
tbe  acts  of  July  5,  1838,  Jimc  18,  and  June  20,  1810,  is  28!»  of  which 
numl)or  11  are  generals,  20  majors,  101  captains,  124  surijeons  and  assist- 
ant surgeons,  and  24  additional  paymasters.  Thirty-seven  of  the  persons 
appointed  declined  acceptance,  47  were  discharged  as  supernumeraries, 
44  resigned,  18  appointed  in  other  corps,  15  died,  and  128  are  now  in  ser- 
vice."— Report  of  the  Adjutant  (inicral  tit  the  Sicrrtary  if  Win;  April 
6th,  1818.  Vvtiime  H  Executive  Diicumenls,  \sl  session  30th  Cungress, 
Docuiiunt  62. 


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280 


HISTOHY     OP     THE 


territory,  and  indemnity  for  the  past  was  obtained, 
in  the  cession  of  New  Mexico  and  California* 


"  ARTICLE  XVII. 

"  The  treaty  of  amity,  commerce  and  navigation,  concluiJed  at  the  city 
o."  Mexico  on  the  fifth  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1831,  between  the  United 
States  of  America  and  the  United  Mexican  States,  except  the  additional 


*  "  Tlic  country  ceded  to  the  United  States,  lying  west  of  tlio  Rio 
Grande,  and  to  which  Texas  has  no  title,  is  estimated  by  the  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land  Office,  to  contain  520,078  square  miles,  or 
366,689,920  acres. 

"  The  period  since  the  exchange  of  ratifications  of  the  Treaty,  has 
been  too  short  to  enable  tlie  Government  to  have  access  to,  or  to  procure 
abstracts  or  copies  of,  the  land  title  issued  by  Spain,  or  by  the  Repidilic  of 
Ml  ■  ico.  Steps  will  be  taken  to  procure  this  information  at  the  earliest 
practicable  period.  It  is  estimated,  as  appears  from  the  accompanying 
Report  of  tlie  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  that  much  the  larger  portion  of 
the  land  within  the  territories  ceded,  remains  vacant  and  unappropriated, 
and  will  be  subject  to  be  disposed  of  by  the  United  States.  Indeed,  a  very 
inconsiderable  portion  of  the  land  embraced  in  the  cession,  it  is  believed, 
has  been  disposed  of  or  granted  either  by  Spain  or  Mexico. 

"  What  amount  of  money  the  United  States  may  be  able  to  realize 
from  the  sales  of  these  vacant  lands,  must  be  uncertain  ;  but  it  is  confi- 
dently believed,  that  with  prudent  management,  after  making  liberal  grants 
to  emigrants  and  settlers,  it  will  exceed  the  cost  of  the  war,  and  all  the 
expenses  to  which  we  have  been  subjected  in  acquiring  it. 

"  The  resolutions  also  called  for  the  '  evidence,  or  any  part  thereof,' 
that  the  '  extensive  and  valuable  territories  ceded  by  Mexico  to  the  United 
States,  constitute  indemnity  for  the  past.' 

"  The  immense  value  of  the  ceded  country  does  not  consist  alone  in 
the  amount  of  money  for  which  the  public  lands  may  Ik;  sold.  If  not  a 
dollar  could  be  realized  from  the  sale  of  those  lands,  the  cession  of  the  ju- 
risdiction over  the  country,  and  the  fact  that  it  has  become  a  part  of  our 
Union,  and  cannot  be  made  subject  to  European  power,  constitutes  ample 
'  indemnity  for  the  past,'  in  the  immense  value  and  advantages  which  its 
acquisition  must  give  to  the  commercial,  navigating,  manufacturing,  and 
agricultural  interests  of  our  country. 

"  The  value  of  the  public  lands  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  ceded 
territory,  great  as  that  value  may  he,  is  far  less  important  to  the  people  of 
the  United  States,  than  the  sovereignty  over  the  country.  Most  of  our 
{States  contain  no  public  lands  owned  by  the  United  States  ;  and  yet  the 


POLK     ADSIINISTKATION. 


281 


During  the  war  with  Mexico,  the  pn^sperity  of 
our  country  was  unimpaired.     The  national  credit 
our  sails  whitened  every  sea  ;  and  while 


was  high ; 


article,  and  except  so  far  as  the  stipulations  of  the  said  treaty  may  ho  in' 
compatible  with  any  stipulation  contained  in  the  present  treaty,  is  heroliy 
revived  for  the  period  of  eight  years  from  the  day  of  the  cxciiaii},'e  of  rati- 
fications of  this  treaty,  witli  the  Hame  force  and  virtue  as  if  incorporated 
therein  ;  it  Iwing  understood  that  each  of  the  contracting  parties  reserves 
to  itself  the  right,  at  any  time  after  the  said  perio<J  of  eight  years  shall 
have  expired,  to  terminate  the  same  by  giving  one  year's  notice  of  such 
intention  to  the  other  party. 

"article  xviti. 
"  All  supplies  whatever  for  troops  of  the  United  States  in  Mexico,  ar- 
riving at  ports  in  the  occupation  of  such  troops  previous  to  the  final  evac- 
uation thereof,  although  subsequently  to  the  restoration  of  the  custom- 
houses at  such  ports,  shall  be  entirely  exempt  from  duties  and  charges  of 
any  kind ;  the  Government  of  the  United  States  hereby  engaging  and 
pledging  its  faith  to  establish,  and  vigilantly  to  enforce,  all  possible  guards 
for  securing  the  revenue  of  Mexico,  by  preventing  the  importation,  under 
cover  of  this  stipulation,  of  any  articles  other  than  such,  lK>th  in  kind  and 
quantity,  as  shall  really  be  wanted  for  the  use  and  consumption  of  the 


sovereignty  and  jurisdiction  over  them  is  of  incalculable  importance  to  the 
nation.  In  the  State  of  New- York,  the  United  States  is  the  owner  of  no 
public  lands,  and  yet  two-thirds  of  our  whole  revenue  is  collected  at  the 
great  port  of  that  State  ;  and  within  iier  limits  is  found  alx)ut  one-seventh 
of  our  entire  population.  Although  none  of  the  future  citins  on  our  coast 
of  California  may  ever  rival  the  city  of  New-Vork  in  wealth,  population, 
and  business  ;  yet,  that  important  cities  will  grow  up  on  the  magnificent 
harbors  of  that  coast,  with  a  rapidly  increasing  population,  and  yielding  a 
large  revenue,  would  seem  to  be  certain.  By  the  pfwscsHion  of  the  safe 
and  spacious  harbors  on  the  California  coast,  we  shall  have  great  advan- 
tages in  securing  the  rich  commerce  of  the  Kast,  and  shall  thus  obtiiiu  for 
our  products  new  and  increased  markets,  and  greatly  enlarge  our  coasting 
and  foreign  trade,  as  well  as  augment  our  tonnage  and  reveinio. 

"Those  great  ad.antages,  farmore  than  the  simple  value  of  the  public 
lands  in  the  ceded  territory, '  constitute  our  indemnity  for  the  past." 

"JAMPIS  K.  POLK." 

Meanage  of  James   K.  Polk  to  the  House  of   Rejirnsentatiies,    July 
24,  1848. 


Or^an!  March  l.lli«1  K 


282 


niSTOBY     OF     THE 


we  were  with  one  hand  chastising  an  insolent  and 
unscrupulous  enemy,  with  the  other  we  were  giv- 
ing Vji'ead  to  a  starving  nation.     By  the  terms  of 

forced  of  the  United  States  during  the  time  they  may  remain  in  Mexico. 
To  tills  nnd,  it  sliall  be  the  duty  of  all  officers  and  igents  of  the  United 
Sluti'.s  to  liunounce  to  the  Mexican  authorities  at  the  respective  ports  any 
attiuiipt  at  a  fraudulent  abuse  of  this  stipulation  which  they  may  know  of, 
or  may  have  rea.son  to  suspect,  and  to  give  to  such  authorities  all  the  aid 
in  their  power  with  regard  thereto;  and  every  such  attempt,  when  duly 
proved  and  CBtublishcd  by  sentence  of  a  competent  tribunal,  shall  be  pun- 
iiihed  by  the  confiscation  of  the  property  so  attempted  to  be  fraudulently 
introduced. 

"  ARTICLE    XIX. 

•  "  With  respect  to  all  merchandise,  effects  and  property  whatsoever,  im- 
ported into  ports  of  Mexico  whilst  in  I  he  occupation  of  the  forces  of  the 
United  Mtates,  whether  by  citizens  of  either  Republic,  or  by  citizens  or 
subjects  of  any  neutral  nation,  the  following  rules  shall  be  observed  : 

"  1st.  All  such  merchandise,  effects  and  property,  if  imported  pre- 
viously to  the  restfjration  of  the  custom-houses  to  the  Mexican  authorities, 
as  stipulated  for  in  the  third  article  of  this  treaty,  shall  be  exempt  from 
confiscation,  although  the  importation  of  the  same  be  prohibited  by  the 
Mexican  tariff. 

"  2d,  The  same  perfect  exemption  shall  be  enjoyed  by  all  such  mer- 
chandise, effects  and  property,  imported  subsequently  to  the  restoration  of 
the  custom-houses,  and  previously  to  the  sixty  days  fixed  in  the  following 
article  lor  the  coming  into  force  of  the  Mexican  tariff  at  such  ports  re- 
spectively ;  the  said  merchandise,  effects  and  property  being,  however,  at 
the  time  of  their  importation,  .subject  to  the  payment  of  duties,  as  provided 
for  in  the  said  following  article. 

"  3d.  All  merchandise,  effects  and  property  described  in  the  two  rules 
foregoing  shall,  during  their  continuance  at  the  place  of  importation,  and 
upon  their  loaving  such  place  for  the  interior,  be  exempt  from  all  duty,  tax, 
or  impost  of  every  kind,  under  whatsoever  title  or  denomination.  Nor 
shall  they  be  there  subjected  to  any  charge  whatsoever  upon  the  sale 
thereof. 

"  4th.  All  merchandise,  effects  and  property,  described  in  the  first  and 
second  rules,  which  shall  have  been  removed  to  any  place  in  the  interior 
whilst  such  place  was  in  the  occupation  of  the  forces  of  thj  United  States, 
ahull,  during  their  continuance  therein,  be  exempt  from  all  tax  upon  the 
Bale  or  consumption  thereof,  and  from  every  kind  of  impost  or  contribu- 
tion, under  whatsoever  title  or  denomination. 


POLK     ADMINISTKATION. 


283 


the  Treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo,. the  Government 
of  the  United  States  agreed  to  pay  to  Mexico,  us 
part  consideration  for  the  cession  of  New  Mexico 

"  5th.  But  if  any  merchandise,  effects  or  property,  described  in  the 
first  and  second  rules,  shall  be  removed  to  any  place  not  occupied  at  the 
time  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  they  shall,  upon  their  introduction 
into  such  place,  or  upon  their  sale  or  consumption  there,  be  subject  to  the 
iame  duties  which,  under  the  Mexican  laws,  they  would  be  required  to 
pay  in  such  cases  if  they  had  been  imported  in  time  of  peace,  through  the 
maritime  custom-houses,  and  had  there  paid  the  duties  conformably  with 
the  Mexican  tariff. 

"  fjth.  The  owners  of  all  merchandise,  effects  or  property,  described 
in  the  first  and  second  rules,  and  existing  in  any  port  of  Mexico,  shall 
have  the  right  to  reship  the  same,  exempt  from  all  tax,  impost,  or  contri- 
butions whatever. 

"  With  respect  to  the  metals  or  other  property,  exported  from  any 
Mexican  port  whilst  in  the  occupation  of  the  forces  of  the  United  States, 
and  previously  to  the  restoration  of  the  custom-houses  at  such  port,  no 
person  shall  lie  required  by  the  Mexican  authorities,  whether  general  or 
state,  to  pay  any  tax,  duty,  or  contribution  upon  any  such  exixjrtation,  or 
in  any  manner  to  account  for  the  same  to  the  said  authorities. 

"  ARTICLE   XX. 

.  "  Throngh  consideration  for  the  intereats  of  commerce  generally,  it  is 
agreed,  that  if  less  than  sixty  day.«  should  elapse  between  the  date  of  the 
tignatiire  i(  this  treaty  and  the  restoration  of  the  custom-houses,  con- 
fomiably  with  the  stipulation  in  the  third  article,  in  such  case  all  merchan- 
dise, effects  and  property  whatsoever,  arriving  at  the  Slexican  ports  after 
ihe  restoration  of  the  said  custom-houses,  and  previously  to  the  expiration 
of  sixty  days  after  the  date  of  the  signature  of  this  treaty,  shall  be  admit- 
ted to  entry  ;  and  no  other  duties  shall  be  levied  thereon  than  the  duties 
eMahlinhf'd  by  the  tariff  found  in  force  at  such  custom-houses  at  the  time 
of  tiie  restoration  of  the  same.  And  to  all  such  merchandise,  effects  and 
pro()erty,  the  rules  established  by  the  preceding  article  shall  apply. 

"  ARTICLE    XXI. 

"  If  unhappily  any  disagreement  should  hereafter  arise  between  the 
Governrncnts  of  tlie  two  Republics,  whether  with  respect  to  the  interpre- 
tation of  any  stipulation  in  this  treaty,  or  with  respect  to  any  other  partic- 
ular concerning  the  p.mrcal  or  commercial  relations  of  the  two  nations, 
the  said  Governments,  in  the  name  of  those  nations,  do  promise  to  each 


28^ 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


and  Califi^rnia,*  tlie  sum  of  tiftecn  millions  of  dol- 
lars, and  to  assume  the  paymont  of  certain  claims 
due    our  citizens    by  the   Mexican    Government. 

other  that  tliey  will  endeavor,  in  the  rn-wt  sincere  and  earnest  manner,  to 
settle  the  difference!)  bo  ariHin^r.  ami  to  prcHerve  the  state  of  pence  and 
friendship  in  which  tlie  two  countries  are  now  placing  themselves  ;  UKing, 
for  this  end,  mutual  representatioiiH  and  pacific  negotiations.  And  if,  by 
these  means,  they  should  not  be  enabled  t«  come  to  an  agreement,  a  resort 
shall  not,  on  this  account,  be  had  to  rRpriiials,  aggression,  or  hostility  of 
any  kind,  by  the  one  Republic  againiit  (lie  other«  until  the  Government  of 
that  which  deems  itself  aggrieved  shall  have  maturely  considered,  in  the 
spirit  of  peace  and  good  neighljornliip,  whether  it  would  not  be  better  that 
BQch  difference  should  be  settled  \iy  the  arbitration  of  commissioners  ap- 
pointed on  each  side,  or  by  tliat  of  a  friendly  nation.  And  should  such 
course  be  proposed  by  either  (rnrty,  it  sliall  be  acceded  to  by  the  other, 
unless  deemed  by  it  altogetlier  incompatible  with  the  nature  of  the  differ- 
ence or  the  circunutances  of  ttie  caite. 


"ABTicLE  xxn. 

"  If  (which  i«  not  to  be  expected,  and  which  God  forbid  !)  war  should 
unhappily  break  out  between  the  two  R/;publirH,  they  do  now,  with  a  view 
to  such  calamity,  solemnly  pledge  thtniiMsUan  to  each  other  and  to  the 
world,  to  observe  the  following  ruleit ;  abxolutely,  where  the  nature  of  the 


*  "  The  boundary  line  between  ttic  two  republics  shall  commence  in  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  three  leagues  from  land,  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  otherwise  called  Rio  Itravo  del  Norte,  opposite  the  mouth  of  its 
deepest  branch,  if  it  should  have  more  than  one  branch  emptying  directly 
into  the  sea ;  from  thence  up  the  middle  rif  that  river,  following  the  deepest 
channel,  where  it  has  more  tii:in  one,  to  the  point  where  it  strikes  the 
southern  boundary  of  New  Mexico;  thence,  westwardly,  along  the  whole 
southern  boundary  of  New  Mexico,  (which  runs  north  of  the  town  called 
Paseo.)  to  its  western  termination  j  thence,  northward,  along  the  western 
line  of  New  Mexico,  until  it  iuterwctx  the  f'ri«t  branch  of  tlic  river  Gila ; 
(or  if  it  slioiild  not  internect  any  branch  of  llint  river,  then  to  the  point  on 
the  said  line  nearest  to  such  branch,  and  thence  in  a  direct  line  to  the 
same  ;)  thence  down  the  middle  of  the  naid  branch  and  of  the  said  river,  un- 
til it  empties  into  the  Rio  Colorado ;  lUi-nri'  across  the  Rio  Colorado,  fol- 
lowing the  divicinn  line  Mween  IJpfcrand  I/iwor  California,  to  the  Pa- 
cific Ocean." — Art.  6,  'Vreattj  of  (iiuuUtlupe  llulalgo. 


I'OLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


285 


T\uT(',  wfw  al?(f)  a  clause  in  the  Treaty,  i'e({uiring  tlie 
(i'»v«ri'Tirneiit  of  the  United  States  to  liljerate  any 
j/rwrnen  which  might  thereafter  be  captured  by 

mAttf^^  pTmiti),  and  nn  closely  as  possible  in  all  cases  where  such  abso- 
Itii/?  i/tfiivnnrf,  shall  be  impossible : 

**  \.  Thp  m«rchant«  of  either  Republic  then  residing  in  the  other, 
rioM  ►<►•  adowMl  to  remain  twelve  months  (for  those  dwelling  in  the  inte- 
rtttf/  tittH  *\x  months  (for  those  dwelling  at  the  seaports),  to  collect  their 
d^itx  »n4  wrttic  their  affairs,  during  which  periods  they  shall  enjoy  the 
mum  pf'itftction,  and  be  on  the  same  footing,  in  all  respects,  as  the  citizens 
Of  unt/jfrrljt  of  the  most  friendly  nations ;  and,  at  the  expiration  thereof,  or 
Uiy  lifOT  More,  they  shall  have  full  liberty  to  depart,  carrying  off  all 
thtiir  «r<rActj<  without  molestation  or  hindrance ;  conforming  therein  to  the 
muiit!  bwji  which  the  citizens  or  subjects  of  the  most  friendly  nations  are 
rmtfnirtrA  tn  conform  to.  Upon  the  entrance  of  the  armies  of  either  nation 
iut"  tiifi  f^rrriforic!'  of  the  other,  women  and  children,  ecclesiastics,  scholars 
(A  fnmj  facnlty,  cultivators  of  tte  earth,  merchants,  artisans,  maimfac- 
iUTHT't,  ami  fi<ihennen,  unarmed  and  inhabiting  unfortified  towns,  villages, 
or  f»fe</v«,  and  in  jjenernl  all  persons  whose  occupations  are  for  the  com- 
WHt  ^nhni.'ttence  and  benefit  of  mankind,  shall  be  allowed  to  continue 
tlf^ir  r«^p»rtive  employments  unmolested  in  their  persons.  Nor  shall 
tlf^r  f»f)in«!«  or  goo<ls  be  burned  or  otherwise  destroyed,  nor  their  cattle 
Ukutti  wit  thHr  fields  wasted,  by  the  armed  force  into  whose  power,  by 
Htn  fr^ntU  <ii  war,  they  may  happen  to  fall ;  but  if  the  necessity  arise  to 
tok';  ithj  thin$f  from  them  for  the  use  of  such  armed  force,  the  same  shall 
h<f  (MWi  lilt  at  an  equitable  price.  All  churches,  hospitals,  schools,  col- 
l^fot,  Kbnirieft,  and  other  establishments  for  charitable  and  beneficent 
furytiif:*,  fihall  \re.  respected,  and  all  persons  connected  with  the  same  pro- 
UXUtA  m  ihf:  discharge  of  their  duties,  and  the  pursuit  of  their  vocations. 

*•  II,  In  order  that  the  fate  of  prisoners  of  war  may  be  alleviated,  all 
MKh  [iriu^'u-.f^  a.«  those  of  sending  them  into  distant,  inclement,  or  unwhule- 
tinutt-  d>«tricts,  or  crowding  them  into  close  and  noxious  places,  shall  be 
tilu4ii'KtM\j  avoidH.  They  shall  not  be  confined  in  dungeons,  prison- 
»!«((>«,  tit  pifi.«)a«,  nor  be  put  in  irons,  or  bound,  or  otherwise  restrained  in  the 
m*;  lA  i\tnr  limbx.  The  officers  shall  enjoy  liberty  on  their  paroles,  within 
ewrtr'-ni^mf,  dixtrirts,  and  have  comfortable  quarters ;  and  the  common 
f^AAiffr*  ^ball  be  disposed  in  cantonments,  open  and  extensive  enough  for 
mr  fittA  frxi-rnM-,  and  lodged  in  barracks  as  roomy  and  good  as  are  pro- 
rMM  \ij  fh«  pnrfy  in  whose  power  they  are  for  its  own  troops.  But  if 
•wy  >4(}rf^  shall  break  his  parole  by  leaving  the  district  so  assigned  him,  or 
aiiy  tMttrr  prisioner  shall  escape  from  the  limits  of  his  cantonment,  after 


1^ 

.  1 


286 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Indians  residing  within  the  limits  of  the  United 
States.  There  was  a  precedent  for  the  last  clause, 
in  the  policy  of  the  Cabinet  of  J<,)hn  Qnincy  Ad- 

thpy  shall  have  been  designated  to  him,  such  individual,  officer,  or  other 
prisoner,  shall  forfeit  so  much  of  the  benefit  of  this  article  as  provides  for 
his  liberty  on  parole  or  in  cantonment.  And  if  any  officer  so  breaking 
his  parole,  or  any  common  soldier  so  escaping  from  the  limits  assigned 
him,  shall  afterwards  be  found  in  arms,  previously  to  his  being  regularly 
exchnnaed,  the  person  so  offending  shall  bo  dealt  with  according  to  the 
established  laws  of  war.  The  officers  shall  be  daily  furnished  by  the 
party  in  whose  power  they  are  with  as  many  rations,  and  of  the  same 
articles,  as  are  allowed,  either  in  kind  or  by  commutation,  to  officers  of 
equal  rank  in  its  own  army ;  and  all  others  shall  be  daily  furnished  with 
such  ration  as  is  allowed  to  a  common  soldier  in  its  own  service ;  the 
value  of  all  which  supplies  shall,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  or  at  periods  to 
be  agreed  upon  between  the  respective  commanders,  be  paid  by  the  other 
party,  on  a  mutual  adjustment  of  accounts  for  subsistence  of  prisoners; 
and  such  accounts  shall  not  be  mingled  with  or  set  off  against  any  others, 
nor  the  balance  due  on  them  be  withheld,  as  a  compensation  or  reprisal 
for  any  cause  whatever,  real  or  pretended.  Each  party  shall  be  allowed 
to  keep  a  commissary  of  prisoners,  appointed  by  itself,  with  every  canton- 
ment of  prisoners,  in  possession  of  the  other ;  which  commissary  shall 
see  the  prisoners  as  often  as  he  pleases ;  shall  be  allowed  to  receive, 
exempt  from  all  duties  or  taxes,  and  to  distribute  whatever  comforts  may 
be  sent  to  them  by  their  friends ;  and  shall  be  free  to  transmit  his  reports 
in  open  letters  to  the  party  by  whom  he  is  employed. 

"  And  it  is  declared  that  neither  the  pretence  that  war  dissolves  all 
treaties,  nor  any  other  whatever,  shall  be  considered  as  annulling  or  sus- 
pending the  solemn  covenant  contained  in  this  article.  On  the  contrary, 
the  state  of  war  is  precisely  that  for  which  it  is  provided ;  and  during 
which,  its  stipulations  are  to  be  as  sacredly  observed  as  the  most  acknow- 
ledged obligations  under  the  law  of  nature  or  nations. 


"article  XXIII. 

"  This  treaty  shall  be  ratified  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate  thereof,  and 
by  the  President  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  with  the  previous  approbation 
of  its  general  Congress ;  and  the  ratifications  shall  be  exchanged  in  the 
city  of  Washington,  or  at  the  seat  of  Government  in  Mexico,  in  four 
months  from  the  date  of  the  signature  thereof,  or  sooner  if  practicable. 


POLK     ADMINISTBATION. 


287 


ams*  Tlie  territory  acc^uired  was  immense  in 
extent  and  importance.  It  embraced  nearly  ten 
degrees  of  latitude  upon  the  Pacific  coast,  and  ex- 

"  In  faith  whereof,  we,  the  respective  plenipotentiaries,  have  sijriifd  this 
treaty  of  peace,  friendship,  limits,  and  settlement,  and  have  hereunto 
affixed  our  seals  respectively.  Done  in  quintiiplicate,  at  the  city  of 
Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  on  the  second  day  of  February,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-eight. 

"  N.  P.  TRIST,  [l.  '..] 

"  LUIS  G.  CUEVAS,  [l.  s.] 

"  BERNARDO  COUTO,      [l.  s.] 
"  MIGL.  ATRISTAIN.        [l.  s.] 

"And  whereas,  the  said  treaty,  as  amended,  has  'leen  duly  ratified  on 
both  parts,  and  the  respective  ratifications  of  the  sam  were  exchanged  at 
Queretaro  on  the  thirtieth  day  of  May  last,  by  Ambrose  H.  Sevier  and 
Nathan  Cliftbrd,  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  Government  of  tlie 
United  States,  and  by  Seflor  Don  Louis  de  la  Rosa,  Minister  of  Relations 
of  the  Mexican  Republic,  on  the  part  of  that  Government ; 

"  Now,  therefore,  be  it  known,  that  I,  James  K.  Polk,  President  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  have  caused  the  said  treaty  to  be  made  public, 
to  the  end  that  the  same,  and  every  clause  and  article  thereof,  may  be 
observed  and  fulfilled  with  good  faith  by  the  United  States  and  the  citizens 
thereof. 

"  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  caused  the  seal 
of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

"  Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  fourth  day  of  July,  one 
[l.  s.]     thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-eight,  and  of  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  United  States  the  seventy-third. 

"JAMES  K.  POLK. 
"  By  the  President : 

"  James  Buchanan,  Secretary  of  State." 
Executhe  Documents,  \st  session  30 A  Congress,  Vol.  8,  Doc.  A'o.  69. 

♦  "  If  the  line  were  so  changed,  the  greater  part,  if  not  the  whole,  of 
the  powerful,  warlike,  and  turbulent  Indian  nation  of  the  Canianchos, 
would  be  thrown  on  the  side  of  the  United  States  ;  and  as  an  equivalent 
for  the  proposed  cession  of  territory,  they  would  stipulate  to  restrain,  as 
far  as  practicable,  the  Camanches  from  committing  hostilities  and  depreda- 
tions upon  the  territories  and  people,  whether  Indians  or  otlierwi:«e,  of 
Mexico." — Letter  of  Henry  Clay,  Secretary  of  State,  to  Mr.  Puinsett, 
United  Stales  Minister  in  Mexico,  March  26rt,  1826. 


288 


HISTOKY     OP     THE 


teiidetl  from  that  ocean  to  t}ie  Rio  Grande,  a  dis- 
tance of  nearly  one  thousand  miles.  Included  Avith- 
in  the  new  boundaries,  are  the  harbors  of  Monterey, 
Santiago,  and  San  Francisco,  whicli  give  us  three 
commercial  fronts.  One  upon  the  Pacific,  another 
u])on  the  Atlantic,  and  the  third  upon  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  being  in  extent  more  than  5,000  miles  of 
sea-coast. 

Of  all  the  harl)Ors  in  the  world,  none  surpass 
the  celel)rated  Bay  of  San  Francisco.  It  lies  in 
latitude  38  degrees  north — al)Out  four  degrees  from 
the  southern  boundary  of  Oregon,  and  about  five 
or  six  degrees  from  the  southern  boundary  of  our 
possessions  in  California.  This  harbor  may  be  re- 
garded as  a  most  fortunate  acquisition,  and  which, 
taken  in  connection  with  the  rest  of  the  territory 
ceded,  and  the  commercial  advantages  resulting 
therefrom,  is  of  vast  importance  to  the  Republic. 

In  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco  the  combined  na- 
vies of  the  world  could  ride  in  safety.  The  ac- 
cess to  it  is  easy,  and  yet  it  could  be  defended 
readily  from  its  bold  and  rocky  shores.  The  en- 
trance opens  into  the  Bay,  which  is  about  forty 
miles  in  length,  protected  from  the  winds  coming 
from  every  direction.  Two  beautiftil  rivers  which 
drain  a  country  five  hundred  miles  in  extent,  pour 
their  waters  into  the  Bay.  The  climate  along  the 
valley  of  the  Sacramento,  and  San  Joaquin  rivers 
is  delightful.  The  soil  is  rich  and  productive,  fa- 
vorable to  wheat,  Indian  corn,  rye,  oats,  tobacco  and 
cotton.  Grapes,  olives,  bananas,  cocoanuts,  sugar- 
cane, apples,  pears,  «fec.,  were  formerly  found  in  lati- 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


289 


tude  84  degrees  nortli.  A  rare  imit)n  of  the  pro- 
ductions of  the  temperate  and  trc»])ical  climates. 

In  the  Bay  of  Sun  Francisco  will  converge  the 
commerce  of  Asia  and  the  model  Ilej)iiblic.  It 
possesses  a<l vantages  over  every  other  1:  arbor  upon 
the  western  coast  of  North  or  South  America. 
Whetlier  a  raili'oad  is  constructed  across  the  Isth- 
mus of  Panama  to  the  Columbia  river,  or  to  San 
Franciscd,  that  i)oiut  will  become  the  New- York  of 
the  Pacific  Ocean.  The  vast  and  increasing  com- 
merce of  Asia,  and  the  islands  of  the  East,  is  now 
open  to  our  adventurous  seamen.  It  is  difficult  to 
conceive  the  importance  which  this  country  is  des- 
tined to  occupy  as  a  commercial  nation.  In  the 
first  place,  it  can  be  safely  assei-ted  that  no  people 
upon  the  earth  are  so  well  calculated  to  develope 
the  resoui'ces  of  our  country,  as  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States,  while  at  the  same  time  the  liberal 
principles  upon  which  our  commercial  relations  are 
conducted  with  the  nations  of  the  earth,  afford  am- 
ple opportunities  for  a  display  of  that  energy  and 
enterprise,  for  which  the  American  merchant  is  so 
justly  celebrated,  notwithstanding  the  importance 
to  which  the  commerce  of  England  has  attained ; 
yet  her  citizens  have  very  many  disadvantages  to 
encounter,  which  are  fast  disappearing  from  our 
path.  It  will  be  seen  l^y  an  (^xaminatioi.  of  a  globe, 
that  the  locality  of  England  is  most  unfortunate  for 
commercial  purposes. 

Upon  the  northwestern  part  of  Europe,  ^\'ith 
the  broad  Atlantic  separathig  her  from  her  Cana- 
dian piovinces  and  from  the  West  Indies,  she  is 
19 


, 

' 

• 

290                          HISTORY     OP     TTB 

forced  to  cloiiLle  either  tlie  Cape  of  Good  Hope  or 

Cape  Horn,  to  reach  China  and  her  ponsortsioum  m 
the  East.  Taking  in  connection  the  fact,  tliat  it  re- 
(piires  sixty-five  days  for  the  overland  mall  to  reach 
London  from  Canton,  and  we  have  some  id(!a  of  the 
commercial  difficulties  encountered  by  the  merchants 
of  England.* 

♦  From  Mr.  Whilrvy's  CalcuJatioiis, 
Prom  London  to  Pannma,  81"  of  longitude,  and  41°  ol'  lati- 
tudu  must  be  overcome,  and  which,  on  a  straight  line, 

would  vary  little  from 6,868  miles. 

From  Panama  to  Canton  is  170°  of  longitude,  measuring 

full  GO  miles  to  the  degree,  is 10,200     " 

Making  from  London  to  Canton,  on  a  line,        .        .        .  16,068  " 
Now  from  Canton  to  England,  via  the  Capo  of  Good  Hope, 
during  the  northeast  monsoon,  is        .        .         .        . 
From  Canton  through  the  China  Sea,  to  the  Equator,       .  1,320  " 
From  the  Equator  to  Sunda  Straits,  to  12°  south  latitude,  750  " 
Througli  the  region  of  southeast  trades  to  27°  south  lati- 
tude, and  50°  east  longitude, 3,200  " 

Thence  to  the  Capo  of  Good  Hope,         ....  1,560  » 

And  from  the  Cape  to  London 6,900  " 

13,730  « 
Again — from  Canton  to  London,  via  the  Cape  of  Good 

Hope,  during  the  southwest  monsoon,  is     .        .        .  " 

From  Canton  to  the  Straits  of  Formosa,           .        .        .  480  " 

Thence  to  Pitt's  Straits,  passing  near  the  Pillow  Islands,  1 ,300  " 

Thence  to  Alias' Straits, 1,200  " 

Thence  to  27°  south  latitude,  and  50°  east  longitude,      .  3,900  " 

Thence  to  the  Cape, 1,560  " 

And  thence  to  London, 6,900  " 

16,340     " 
In  the  first  instance,  the  route  by  cnnnl  would  increase  the 

distance  between  Ijondon  and  Canton,        .        .        .      2,338     " 

And  in  the  latter, 728     " 

The  distances,  both  for  a  canal  and  via  the  Cape,  are  cal- 
culated for  a  straight  lino  from  point  to  point,  but  ow- 
ing to  trades  and  currents,  a  sail-vcssol  could  not  make 


POLK      ADMINISTUATION. 


291 


The  i"out«  tf)  Tjondon  from  Canton  'm  over  !,()(»() 
miles  neiiier,  via  I'liget's  S(»un<l  and  New- York,  than 
to  <h)ul>le  the  Cape  of  (Jood  Hope.  To  jiroeeed 
still  fiiitliei"  south  ]>y  tlie  Bay  of  San  Francisco  and 
New- Yolk  to  L)fidon,  would  be  8,000  miles  nearer 
than''th(;  old  rout(!.* 

In  speaking  of  t))e  d';tance  to  China  from  our 
western  posse.s.sions,  it  should  be  remembered,  that 
it  is  not  ne(,'es-.ii'y  to  pin-sue  tlie  track  by  the  Sand- 
wich Islands.  It  is  nnicli  nearer  to  pass  on  a  great 
arc  to  t!i(;  northwest,  ci-ossing  from  the  Western  to 
the  Kast<!rn  C<»iitinent,  where  the  degrees  of  longi- 
tude converging  to  the  North  Pole,  are  only  about 
half  so  far  across  as  they  are  between  the  tropics. 
The  new  route  will  be  far  preferable  by  steam,  as 


either  voyngn  on  a  Htraight  line ;  and  the  voyage  from 
London  to  ('hinn  in  nxtiinnted  at  not  loss  than  17,UUG 
milec,  and  it  would  be  incroascd  in  the  same  manner 
and  |iro)Kirtion  for  any  canal  route. 

It  has  lK?cn  cstiniutr-d  that  the  distance  from  Shanghae  in 
China  to  Pufjet's  .Sound,  is 

From  I'lipct's  Sound  U>  New- York,  by  railroad,  via  Lake 
Alicliigan, 


6,405  miles. 


3,963 


8,368 
Making  8,368  milcK  from  onr  Atlantic   coast  to  China, 

about  half  the  diHtancc  from  London  to  China. 

From  New-York  to  I/mdon, 3,330 

Total  distance  from  China  to  London,  via  Puget's  Sound 

and  New-York, 11,698 


*  "  The  transit  of  intelligence,  merchandise  and  passengers  from  Chi- 
na to  Europe,  by  way  of  New- York,  can  bo  efTected,  when  these  several 
lines  shall  lie  in  operation  in  connection  with  the  line  from  that  city  to 
Liverpfwl,  in  lehs  than  one  half  the  time  now  occupied  in  the  voyage  be- 
twpyn  those  countries." — Rtporl  nf  the  Secretary  of  War,  December  Ath, 
1848. 


292 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


the  same  necessity  will  not  exist  for  pui-suing  tlie 
old  one,  for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  the  trade  winds. 

Now  let  us  turn  our  attention  to  the  position 
occupied  upon  the  globe  by  the  United  States. 
Conveniently  situated  to  carry  on  a  trade  with  Eu- 
rope and  Canada,  with  the  West  India  Islands,  and 
the  powers  of  South  America,  the  great  difficulty 
to  be  surmounted  was  the  distance  to  Asia  and  the 
East  Indies.  With  that  portion  of  the  earth  our 
ti'ade  is  fast  increasing,  notwithstanding  the  long 
route  from  our  eastern  shores  to  China  and  the  isles 
of  the  East,  either  by  pa.ssing  the  Cape  of  Good 
H(jpe,  or  the  southern  extremity  of  South  America. 
To  perform  a  voyage  from  New- York  to  Canton 
and  back,  generally  required  twelve  months.  All 
these  difficulties  will  soon  be  obviated  by  a  develop- 
ment of  our  resources  in  Oregon  and  California. 

It  is  a  matter  of  vast  importance  to  our  com- 
merce, which  will  soon  hover  upon  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  that  spacious  and  convenient  harboi-s  should 
be  obtained  for  our  shipping.  This,  for  two  reasons. 
First,  because  it  is  necessary  for  its  protection  in 
time  of  war,  and  for  i-epaii-s  in  time  of  peace ;  and, 
secondly,  that  a  point  may  be  obtained  from  whence 
the  produce  of  the  United  States  may  be  sent 
abroad,  and  foreign  produce  or  fabrics  may  be 
landed,  and  taken  into  the  interior,  without  making 
the  circuitous  route  of  Cape  Horn. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  route  from  Japan  and 
China  via  Oregon  and  California,  is  not  only  the 
nearest  to  Charleston,  New-York  and  Boston,  but 
also  to  Loudon ;  and  we  may  not  only  expect  that 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


293 


the  transmission  of  intelligence  may  be  made  by 
that  route,  but  that  it  Avill  be  the  great  highway 
for  many  articles  of  merchandise  and  produce  con- 
veyed to  and  from  Europe. 

In  this  connection  I  will  refer  to  the  proposed 
canals  at  Panama,  Nicaragua,  and  Tehuantepec. 

The  great  objection  to  these  routes  to  Asia  and 
the  East,  is,  that  we  have  to  diverge  from  the  direct 
route  ;  the  distance  being  about  2,000  miles  further 
from  the  Mississippi  valley  to  China,  even  l)y  Te- 
huantepec, than  by  Califoi"!iia,  and  much  further 
via  Panama.  I  shall  now  proceed  to  notice  the 
harbors  in  Oregon,  and  that  poi'tion  of  California 
which  we  have  acquired  fi'om  Mexico  by  the  recent 
treaty.  Along  the  coast  of  Oregon,  there  is  but 
one  large  and  convenient  harbor,  and  that  is  nearly 
in  latitude  49°.  There  is  one  circumstance,  too, 
connected  with  the  harbor  of  Puget's  Sound,  and 
that  is  contained  in  the  treaty  of  1846  with  Eng- 
land, settling  the  boundary  of  Oregon.  The  en- 
trance to  that  sound  is  through  the  Straits  of 
Fuca.  The  navigation  of  these  straits,  by  the  terms 
of  the  treaty,  is  opeii  to  the  commerce  of  both  na- 
tions. This  is  one  :)bjection  to  the  erection  of  a 
commercial  city  u})oti  Puget's  Sound.  Another  is, 
the  fact  that  the  Straits  of  Fuca  ai'e  commanded  by 
the  southern  part  of  Vancouver's  Island,  which  l»e- 
longs  to  Great  Britain.  These  would  be  objections 
in  time  of  a  Avar  between  the  two  countries,  which 
it  is  not  unlikely  will  occur  in  the  ne.xt  half  cen- 
tury. 

The  immense  commerce  cari'ied  on  between  this 


Oil.  an!  March  I.lllff^, 
lust'}  Apr.  i:^>'  inST* 


294 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


country  and  Asia,  which  will  concentrate  at  some 
point  upon  our  western  coast,  must  be  under  the 
command  of  our  own,  instead  of  British  guns. 

It  will  be  discovered  from  this  view  of  the  sub- 
ject, that  the  harbors  acquired  from  Mexico  })y  the 
Treaty  of  1848,  are  of  very  great  value  to  this 
country. 

The  bay,  or  roadstead,  of  Monterey,  is  a  half 
cii'cle,  protected  from  the  storms  coming  from  the 
west  01  southwest,  but  exposed  to  the  northwestern 
winds.  It  can  be  rendered  a  very  important  harbor, 
by  the  erection  of  a  breakwater.  San  Diego  is  an 
important  acquisition ;  lying  a  short  distance  from 
the  new  line  established  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico. 

England  has  hitherto  obtained  more  advantages 
from  the  China  trade  than  any  other  nation ;  yet  it 
is  very  evident  the  elements  of  commercial  inter- 
coui-se  are  possessed  to  a  far  greater  extent  by  the 
United  States  and  China,  than  by  that  country  and 
Great  Britain.  The  popular  idea,  long  entertained, 
that  trade  to  be  beneficial  to  one  nation,  must  have 
a  balance  in  its  favor,  to  be  li(|uidated  by  the  pre- 
cious metals,  is  now  exploded.  Commerce  between 
nations,  based  upon  mutual  benefits,  must  consist  in 
an  interchange  of  commodities.  The  dishonest  in- 
tention of  overreaching  the  nation  with  whom  we 
trade,  by  obtaining  a  balance  in  our  fav(tr,  to  be 
discharged  by  abstracting  from  them,  and  drawing 
into  our  ov/n  coffers  the  precious  metids  necessary 
for  their  commercial  prosperity,  should  ha  a]>an- 


POLK     ADMINISTKATION. 


295 


doned.    The  eifect  of  the  latter  policy  is  already 
felt  by  England  * 

The  Select  Committee  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, in  their  report,  alluding  to  the  caase  of  the 
declension  in  the  British  trade  with  China,  assign  as 
a  reason  for  that  result,  that  the  sole  difficulty  Is  in 
finding  a  return  for  the  articles  sui)plied  to  China.f 
Thus  we  discover  that  the  drain  of  specie  upon 
China  to  discharge  the  balance  against  her,  is  too 
great,  and  the  trade  between  the  two  countries  is 
falling  off. 

Th?  trade  between  the  United  States  and  China, 
although  now  very  extensive,  can  be  still  increased. 
There  is  a  heavy  balance  against  as,  however,  which 
might  be  liquidated  by  the  deinan<l  in  that  country 
for  cotton.  J    There  is  no  reason  why  this  amount 

*  The  total  of  British  importH  into  China,  in  1844,  was    §35,929,132 
The   exports  from  China  on  English   account,  for  the 

same  period,  amounted  to         ....  17,925,3fi0 

Leaving  a  balance  against  Ciiina,  ....  §18,003,773 
f  "  In  reporting  on  the  condition  of  our  commercial  relations  with  Chi- 
na your  Committee  regret  to  statn,  on  undoubted  evidence,  that  the  trade 
with  that  country  has  been  for  Koine  time  in  a  very  unsatisfactory  posi- 
tion, and  that  the  result  of  our  extended  intercourso  has  by  no  monns  real- 
ized the  just  expectations  which  had  been  naturally  foimdcd  on  a  freer  ac- 
cess  to  so  magnificent  a  market." 

"  We  find  that  the  difficulties  of  the  trade  do  not  arise  from  any  want 
of  demand  in  China  for  articles  of  British  manufacturn,  or  from  the  increas- 
ing competition  of  other  nations.  There  ib  no  evidence  that  foroinfn  com- 
petition is  to  be  seriously  apprehended  in  the  articles  of  general  demand. 
The  sole  difficulty  is  in  providing  u  return." — W-jiort  of  llie  Select  Ctm- 
miltee  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

\  The  imports  of  merchandise  into  China  from  the  United 

States,  in  1844,  amounted  to    -        .        .        .       §1.320,170 

The  export  from  China  on  American  account,  was    -        (i.fiSfi.ni 


Leaving  a  balance  against  the  United  Stiites  of 


§.';,3()(j,001 


2% 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


of  imports  in  China  should  not  be  furnished  by  the 
United  States.  We  can  i-aise  cotton  cheaper,  and 
of  a  bett(;r  quality,  than  any  other  people.  We  can 
manufacture  coarse  cotton  goods  cheaper;  and  the 
route  to  its  destination  will  })e  much  nearer,  by 
means  of  the  gi-eat  highway  via  California  and  the 
Pacific.  It  must  be  recollected,  that  England  and 
the  United  States  are  the  great  competitoi-s  for  the 
trade  w^ith  that  country.  There  is  no  reason,  how- 
ever, that  the  commerce  with  China  should  not  in- 
crease very  largely.  We  can  not  only  supply  them 
with  cotton,  raw  and  manufactured,  but  with  lead, 
ginseng,  wheat,  and  corn ;  for  which  we  can  receive 
whatever  necessaries  and  luxuiies  they  may  have  to 
exchange. 

The  empire  of  China  contains  at  least  three 
hundred  millions  of  people.  The  density  of  the 
pojiulation  is  most  remarkable,  so  much  so,  that  it 
is  exceedingly  difficult  to  obtain  a  li\nng.  What 
benefits  will  not  be  extended  to  them  by  the  utmost 
freed(»m  of  commercial  intercoui-se  ?  Not  only  can 
we  sui)i)ly  them  with  raiment,  but  with  food,  in  ex- 
change for  which  Ave  can  receive  whatever  their 
cli'nate  or  their  ingenuity  may  enable  them  to  fur- 
nish us.  In  this  way  the  vast  amount  of  surplus 
produce,  which  the  fertility  of  our  soil  and  the  in- 


Have  wo  the  rncnns  of  discharging  this  balance,  other  than  by  a  pay- 
ment of  pppcio  ? 

Valiin  of  riiw  cotton  imported  into  China  in  1844,         -        6,!)83,347 
Cotton  fabric*", 6,383,093 


Total,  cotton  and  cotton  fabrics, 


$12,366,440 


POLK     ADIIINISTRATION. 


297 


dnstry  of  our  people  places  at  our  disposal,  will 
banisli  from  the  firesides  of  millions  tlie  gaunt 
Hfiectre  of  famine  which  stalks  through  the  hovels 
of  the  poor. 

We  should  not  overlook  the  advantages  which 
will  certain] V  result  from  the  establishment  of  libe- 
ral  cfjmmercial  relations  with  the  Empire  of  Ja])an. 
The  population  of  these  islands  is  variously  estimated 
at  from  .50  to  100,000,000  inhabitants.  They  live 
still  nearer  our  possessions  upon  the  Pacific  than 
Chip  i,  being  between  32°  and  45°  north  latitude. 

The  first  American  ship  which  attempted  to 
trade  with  the  Japanese  was  in  1797.  It  was  a 
long  time  before  the  authoritier  could  be  made  to 
distinguish  between  English  and  American  sailors. 
The  owner,  however,  of  this  ship,  the  Eliza,  sailing 
under  Dutch  colors,  was  suffered  to  trade  Avith 
them. 

Rut  retuniing  in  1803,  under  the  American  flag, 
he  was  compelled  to  depart.  The  Dutch,  who  alone 
were  suftered  to  trade  with  theui,  ai-tfully  aroused 
their  suspiok.as,  that  no  rival  might  dixide  the 
trade  \A'ith  themselves.  Another  attempt  was  made 
in  1807,  with  no  better  success.  Similar  efforts 
have  been  made  by  England  and  Russia  up  to 
1837,  but  unsuccessfully.  The  Americans  are  re- 
garded with  much  more  favor  than  either  the  Eng- 
lish or  Russians.  The  hope  may  be  confidently 
fnt(!rtained  that  at  no  distant  day  commercial  rela- 
tions will  T)e  estal)lished  with  those  islands,  nmtu- 
ally  lieneficial  to  both  countries. 

It  is  remarkable  that  China  and  Japan  have 


298 


niSTOKY     OF     THE 


almost  insurmountable  o>»jections  to  the  admission 
of  foreigners  within  their  dominions.  The  conse- 
quences are  the  alwence  of  that  intelligence  and 
morality  wliich  characteriz<;s  other  countries. 

As  the  eye  glances  along  the  map  of  the  Avorld 
to  the  west,  jjassing  over  Asia  and  Europe,  the 
pleasing  reflection  civww-s  the  mind  of  the  observer, 
that  with  each  degree  of  longitude  increases  the 
regard  for  liljerality  of  intercourse  between  neigh- 
boring powers.  And  wh(;n  we  look  at  our  own 
countiy,  we  find  that  Chiistianity  wields  a  con- 
trolling influence — the  arts  and  sciences  have  reach- 
ed a  greater  degi'Cic  of  jHJifection — the  people  have 
enlarged  and  enliglitened  views,  and  the  female  sex 
are  treated  with  much  of  tliat  deference  and  respect 
which  distinguisluid  the  age  of  chivalry. 

In  whatever  light  wa  n^gard  the  intercouree  be- 
tween the  nations  of  tlie  earth,  T)enefits  must  be  the 
result.  Commercial  advantages,  the  extension  of 
liberal  pi'inci])leH,  the  difl'usion  of  the  doctrines  of 
the  Bible,  will  flow  from  the  most  unrestrained 
commercial  regulations. 

As  the  tide  of  (^migration  flows  westward,  it  is  to 
be  hoped  that  a  disjiositifm  will  be  manifested  still 
further  to  remove  restrictions  upon  our  commerce, 
and  thus  accelerate  th<f  moment  when  our  new  pos- 
sessions upon  the  Pacific  will  l^ecome  the  centre  of  a 
flourishing  and  extensive  commerce. 

California  is,  undoubtedly,  the  richest  mineral 
countiy  upon  the  (ilobf;.  Not  only  does  gold 
abound  in  such  (juantities  that  tliousands  have  be- 
come eni'iched  ]>y  it  without  incurring  the  expense 


POLK     ADiMlNISTUATION. 


299 


of  mining  operations,  but  there  is  also  vast  quanti- 
t'wn  (if  >*ilver  and  quicksilver.  The  amount  of  gold 
ihint  which  has  been  brought  from  Califoi-nia  .since 
Jnly,  )H40,  to  the  present  time,*  has  been  c'stimated 
in  vahie  at  9,000,000  of  dollai-s,  and  still  the  supi)ly 
a\t]>*-nrA  inexhaustible.  As  fast  as  the  quantity 
W'<ffnj*  t*^*  diminish  at  one  placer  another  is  eiisily 
found,  where,  with  the  sifter,  the  gold  is  easily 
w;j«irat,f;d  from  the  sand,  and  in  a  short  time  wealth 
CTowriH  the  effoits  of  the  laborer.  'NVliere  such  vast 
qii{»ntitie>»  are  found  in  the  sand,  still  more  can  un- 
doiibti-dly  be  o})tained  by  raining  operations,  and 
fr^>rn  the  hills  and  mountains  of  Upper  California, 
tb<i  (government  and  people  of  the  United  States 
will  r»>>t.ain  immense  quantities  of  the  precious  me- 
tal.H.f  'rh(!  number  of  persons  who  have  thronged 
to  (Jaliforriia  since  its  acquisiticm  by  the  United 
f^tif^  iM  almost  inconceivable.  They  have  poured 
int^i  that  c<^)nntry  from  almost  every  laud,  anu  there 
way  )je  found  congregated  together,  the  South 
Aui'-rir-an,  the  Asiatic,  the  European,  the  African, 
anri  the  Mexican,  and  from  the  United  States  a 
<r<.'a<w;hrMT(  tide  of  emigi'ation  has  continued  to  i-oU 
tliitlier.     'Sew  routes  have  been  explored,  and  so 

•  iUrr.h,  1850. 

f  *■  Thnsi  it  appcnr.i  that  the  deposits  of  gold,  wlierever  found  in  the 
Ttmifurj.  ATI-  fhf!  property  of  the  United  States.  Those,  however,  which 
«f»?  ktuftun  In  exist  upon  the  lands  of  individuals  are  of  small  comparative 
iinpuffn'H-.fr,  by  far  the  larger  part  being  upon  the  unclaimed  public  lands. 
Wtil)  imr  inforination  respecting  them  is  yet  extremely  limited  ;  what  we 
kre/w  in  sf'tK^ral  is,  that  they  are  of  groat  extent  and  extraordinary  pro- 
dtttiivnt'*^,  even  though  rudely  wrought.  The  gold  is  found  sometimes 
l«  «<»•«-»,  the  largest  of  which  bro\ight  to  the  mint  weighed  eighty-nine 
ount.fn." — W-ptrrt  (if  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  Duxmber  Zd,  1849. 


ma 


300 


HISTORY     OF     TFja 


frequently  traversed  that  the  hitherto  trackless  re- 
gii)ns  of  the  West  have  become  a  great  highway, 
and  the  burning  sun  of  the  torrid  zone  has  pre- 
sented no  obstacle  to  the  thousands  who  throng  to 
the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  while  the  threatening  dan- 
gerns  of  Cape  Horn  have  presented  no  terroi-s 
to  those  who  have  left  their  homes  in  search  of 
gold. 

The  early  and  rapid  development  of  the  re- 
sources of  California  is  mainly  attributable  to  the 
precious  metals,  but  it  is  very  questionable  whether 
they  equal  in  importance  the  commercial  and  agri- 
cultural advantages  which  must  inevitably  flow  from 
their  possession.  Of  the  former  I  have  already 
spoken.  "With  regard  to  the  latter,  little  has  been 
done  to  test  the  capacity  of  the  soil.  When  the 
existence  of  gold  was  fii-st  discovered,  people  of 
every  occupation  at  once  took  their  departure  for 
the  gold  regions.  Farmers  left  the  plough,  the  me- 
chanic his  workshop,  the  doctor  his  patient,  the 
lawyer  his  clients,  the  sailor  deserted  his  ship,  and 
the  soldier  his  colors,  and  all  sought  for  the  glitter- 
ing dust.  The  emigrants  have  relied  upon  foreign 
supply  for  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  very  few  of 
the  inhabitants  of  California  have  turned  their  at- 
tention to  the  cultivation  of  the  earth.  It  is  true 
that  the  want  of  rain  during  a  portion  of  the  year 
is  one  disadvantage,  but  that  has  been  greatly  ex- 
aggerated. There  can  undoubtedly  be  produced  in 
California,  wheat,  rye,  oats,  l)uckwheat,  vegetables, 
and  fruits,  of  as  fine  quality  as  in  any  part  of  the 
United  States  territory,  and  it  only  remains  for 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION. 


301 


enterprise  and  industry  to  develope  the  resources 
of  California,  to  render  it  one  of  the  richest  and 
most  productive  States  in  the  Union. 

After  yeai-s  will  fully  illustrate  the  three  great 
results  which  must  flow  from  the  acquisition  of  that 
territory:  its  mineral  wealth,  and  its  agricultural 
and  commercial  advantages* 

*  "  The  prospects  of  California  were  never  brigfhter  than  now.  Skep- 
ticism as  to  its  immense  mineral  resources  is  gradually  yielding  to  the 
solid  and  radiant  proofs  now  abundantly  made  manifest.  Three  millions 
of  dollars'  worth  of  native  gold  shipped  by  a  single  steamer,  following 
and  to  be  followed  by  others,  at  intervals  of  barely  two  weeks,  ought  to 
vanqnish  the  most  stubborn  incredulity.  An  intelligent  friend  who  en- 
joyed good  opportunities  for  information  in  San  Francisco,  estimates  the 
amount  of  gold  in  the  hands  of  the  gamblers  alone,  of  that  city,  on  the 
1st  of  January,  (our  latest  date,)  at  fourteen  millions  of  dollars." — Edito- 
rial of  the  New-York  Tribune,  February  Ulh,  1850. 

"San  Francisco,  December  15/A,  1849. 
"  Metgrt.  Greeley  ^  McElrath  : 

"Of  all  the  marvellous  phases  of  tiic  history  of  the  present,  the 
growth  of  San  Francisco  is  the  one  which  will  most  tax  the  belief  of  the 
future.  Its  parallel  was  never  known,  and  shall  never  be  beheld  again. 
I  speak  only  of  what  I  have  seen  with  my  own  eyes.  When  I  landed 
here,  not  quite  four  mouths  ago,  I  found  a  scattering  town  of  tents  and 
canvas  houses,  with  a  show  of  frame  buildings  on  one  or  two  streets,  and 
a  population  of  about  six  thousand.  Now  I  see  around  me  an  actual  me- 
tropolis, displaying  street  after  street  of  well-built  edifices,  filled  with  an 
active  and  enterprising  people,  and  exhibiting  every  mark  of  permanent 
commercial  prosperity.  Then,  the  town  was  limited  to  the  curve  of  the 
bay  fronting  the  anchorage  and  the  bottoms  of  the  hills.  Now,  it  stretches 
to  the  topmost  heights,  follows  the  shore  around  point  after  point,  and, 
sending  back  a  long  arm  through  a  gap  in  the  hills,  takes  hold  of  the 
Golden  Gate,  and  builds  its  warehouses  on  the  open  strait  and  almost 
fronting  the  blue  horizon  of  the  Pacific.  Then,  the  gold-seeking  so- 
journer lodged  in  muslin  rooms  and  canvas  garrets,  with  a  philosophic 
lack  of  furniture,  and  ate  his  simple  though  substantial  fare  from  pine 
boards.  Now,  lofty  hotels,  gaudy  with  verandahs  and  balconies,  are  met 
with  in  all  quarters,  furnished  with  home  luxury,  and  aristocratic  restau- 
rants present  daily  their  long  bills  of  fare,  rich  with  the  choicest  techni- 


302 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


When  we  reflect  upon  the  extension  of  the  terri- 
torial limits  of  this  country,  since  its  first  settlement, 
we  can  scarcely  realize  where  our  ultimate  bounda- 

calities  of  the  Parisian  cuisine.  Tlien,  vessels  were  coining  in  day  after 
day,  to  lie  deserted  and  useless  at  their  anchorage.  Now,  scarce  a  day 
passes,  but  some  cluster  of  sails,  bound  oulward  through  the  Golden 
Gate,  take  their  way  to  all  the  corners  of  the  Pacific.  Like  the  magic 
seed  of  the  Indian  juggler,  which  grew,  blossomed,  and  bore  fruit  before 
the  eyes  of  his  spectators,  San  Francisco  seems  to  have  accomplished  in 
a  day  tlic  growth  of  half  a  century. 

"  When  I  first  landed  here,  bewildered  and  amazed  by  what  seemed 
an  unnatural  standard  of  prices,  I  expressed  the  opinion  that  there  would 
bo  before  long  a  great  crash  in  speculation.  Things,  it  appeared  then, 
had  reached  their  crisis,  and  it  was  pronounced  impossible  that  they  could 
remain  stationary.  This  might  have  been  a  very  natural  idea  at  the  time, 
but  the  subsequent  course  of  aflTairs  has  shown  it  to  be  incorrect.  Ijand, 
rents,  goods,  subsistence,  &c.,  have  continued  steadily  to  advance  in  cost, 
and  as  the  credit  system  has  been  meanwhile  prudently  contracted,  the 
character  of  the  business  now  done  is  the  more  real  and  substantial.  Two 
or  three  years  will  pass,  in  all  probability,  before  there  is  a  positive  abate- 
ment of  the  standard  of  prices.  There  will  be  fluctuations  in  the  mean- 
time, occasioning  great  gains  and  losses,  but  the  fall  in  rents  and  raal 
estate,  when  it  comes,  os  it  inevitably  must  in  the  course  of  two  or  three 
years,  will  not  be  so  crushing  as  I  at  first  imagined.  I  doubt  whether  it 
will  seriously  injure  the  commercial  activity  of  the  place.  Prices  will 
never  fall  to  the  same  standard  as  in  the  Atlantic  States.  Fortunes  will 
always  be  made  here  by  the  sober,  intelligent,  industrious,  and  energetic ; 
but  no  one  who  is  either  too  careless,  too  spiritless,  or  too  ignorant  to 
succeed  at  home,  need  trouble  himself  about  emigrating.  The  same 
general  rule  holds  good,  as  well  here  as  elsewhere,  and  it  is  all  the  better 
for  human  nature  that  it  does. 

"  Not  only  is  the  heaviest  part  of  the  business  here  conducted  on  cash 
principles,  but  all  rents,  even  to  lodgings  in  hotels,  are  paid  in  advance. 
A  single  bowling-alley,  in  the  basement  story  of  the  Ward  House — a  new 
Hotel  on  Portsmouth-square — prepays  $5,000  monthly.  The  firm  of 
Findley,  Johnson  &  Co.,  recently  sold  their  real  estate,  purchased  a  year 
ago  for  $20,000,  at  $300,000 ;  $25,000  down,  and  the  rest  in  monthly 
instalments  of  $12,500.  The  purchaser,  Mr.  Steinberger,  has  since 
been  offered  $12,500  monthly,  in  advance,  for  the  rent  alone,  which  would 
thus  pay  at  once  the  first  cost  of  the  property.  This  is  a. fair  specimen 
of  the  speculations  daily  made  here.    Those  on  a  lesser  ecale  are  fre- 


POLK     ADMIXISTItATION. 


303 


ries  are  to  be.  From  the  landing  of  the  pilgrims, 
successive  years  have  witnessed  the  triumph  of  our 
ancestors  over  the  Indians  and  French,  to  l)e  (]uickly 
followed  ])y  the  obstinate  encounter  with,  and  the 
final  overthrow  of  the  British  power  within  these 
States,  The  steady  progress  of  civilization  succeed- 
ed ;  the  AUeghanies  were  passed,  and  thriving  cities 
studtled  the  shores  of  the  father  of  waters.  Flor- 
ida, Louisiana  and  Texas  have  been  acquired  ;  and 
a  neighboring  nation,  against  whom  a  brilliant  war 
has  been  waged,  has  consented  to  yield  one  half 
of  her  innnense  territory.  And  still  our  vast  re- 
sources are  undeveloped.  The  oak  and  the  pine, 
spreading  far  westward  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  aj-e  yet 
waving  their  towering  forms  undisturbed  l)y  the 
woodman's  axe,  while  each  year  illustrates  our  pow- 
er, and  proves  that  our  destiny  is  not  yet  fulfilled.* 

queiitly  of  a  very  cmusing  character,  but  the  claims  on  one's  astonii^hmcnt 
are  so  constant,  tliat  the  faculty  soon  wears  out,  and  the  most  unlioard  of 
operations  are  looiced  upon  as  matters  of  coarse.  The  greatest  gains  are 
still  made  by  the  gambling  tables  and  eating-houses.  Every  device  that 
art  can  suggest  is  used  to  swell  the  custom  of  the  former.  The  latter 
find  abundant  support  in  the  necessities  of  a  large  floating  population,  in 
addition  to  the  swarm  of  permanent  residents.  Rowe's  Circus,  which  is 
still  here,  does  an  immense  business,  and  a  large  and  handsome  theatre  is 
about  to  be  erected  on  the  upper  side  of  Portsmouth-square.  If  con- 
ducted with  becoming  order  and  decency,  tlie  latter  esfablishnipnt  will 
have  a  decidedly  moral  effect,  by  diminishing  the  influence  of  a  much 
greater  evil." — Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Bayard  Taylor. 

*  The  inhabitants  of  California,  through  their  delegates,  in  1849, 
framed  a  constitution,  which  was  ratified  by  the  people.  Jlembors  of  Con- 
gress and  Senators  were  elected,  who  took  their  departure  for  Washing- 
ton. The  question  of  the  admission  of  California  into  the  Union  has  oc- 
cupied much  of  the  attention  of  llie  31st  Congress,  Clay,  Calhoun  and 
Webster  have  given  their  views,  but  the  sequel  no  one  can  with  certainty 
divine.  « 


t  iistO    Apr.  :iv  '  in^T. 


304 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


While  new  improvenients  are  made  in  the  arts, 
and  new  discoveries  are  made  in  science;  wliile  the 
moral  tone  of  society  is  becoming  more  and  nK)re 
licaltliy,  and  each  year  adds  to  our  veneration  and 
regard  for  the  Ccjiistitution,  who  can  i)roclaiin  the 
extent  of  our  greatness  as  a  nation  ? 

What  ground  is  there,  then,  for  the  senseless 
cry  that  our  brilliant  destiny  has  reached  its  merid- 
ian ?  What  is  theiv  to  produce  so  melancholy  a 
result  ?  Th(;  treachery  of  individuals  cannot  eft'ect 
it.  Thei'e  is  no  aj)i)roaching  danger  from  without. 
No  internal  dissensions  of  so  alarming  a  character, 
as  to  threaten  so  terrible  a  disaster. 

The  fears  of  those  who  dread  a  dissolution  of 
the  Uni(jn  are  as  idle  as  the  wishes  of  the  dissatis- 
fied and  depraved,  who  would  gladly  produce  so 
disasti-ous  a  result  to  gratify  their  own  selfish  views. 
Such  an  event  might  have  occurred  in  the  infancy 
of  this  repul)lic,  when  patriots  doubted  the  capacity 
of  the  pe(jple  for  self-government.  But  now,  when 
that  prol)lem  has  been  solved,  Avhen  the  public  heart 
beats  Avith  almost  idolati'ous  love  for  that  Constitu- 


Whnt  will  be  the  rosiilt  of  the  settlement  of  the  country  bordering  upon 
the  Pacific  ?  Hitherto  our  enterprisini;  citizens  have  gone  westward  until 
the  farthest  west  is  occupied.  Will  California  and  Oregon  arrest  the  onward 
mnvenient  of  the  Americans  7  No !  They  will  diverge  to  the  south  and 
overrun  Mexico ;  not,  it  is  true,  as  the  Goths  and  Vandals  ravaged  the 
possessions  of  the  Romans ;  and  then,  if  the  citizens  of  Japan  atill  refuse 
to  enter  into  commercial  regulations,  a  little  of  that  persuasion  will  be  em- 
ployed which  so  effectually  moderated  the  tone  of  the  Chini.ot;  towards  the 
Enirlish.  It  will  not  be  extraordinary  if  the  citizens  of  the  United  States 
teforethe  lapse  of  another  century,  should  gain  a  foothold  upon  Asia,  and 
either  overawe  and  control  the  natives,  or  drive  them  back  upon  the  Eu- 
ropeans. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


305 


tion  whicli,  for  more  than  half  a  century,  has  piovcd 
the  palhulium  of  our  lilx-rticM,  who  can  In-  jjjuilty  of 
sucli  folly  an  to  HU[»poHe  that  the  masses  will  submit 
to  its  destruction  ? 

The  jHiojde  undeixtand  fully  the  object  of  a  few 
disorganlwrs  at  the  north  and  south.  They  ai)})r(!- 
ciate  to  th<!  full  value,  and  no  more,  the  threats  at 
encr()achm<;nt  or  dissolution  which  arc  so  freely 
used.  They  can  listen  to  this  with  some  patience  ; 
})ut  let  threats  be  followed  by  a  single  overt  (irt,  and 
they  will  hang  the  traitors  as  high  as  Ilaman  was 
hung. 

The  thanks  of  Congress  M'ere  voted  repeatedly 
to  the  army  for  their  gallant  conduct  in  the  face  of 
the  enemy.  On  the  Ifith  of  July,  184r),  a  joint 
resolution,  j)res(jnting  the  thanks  of  Congress  to 
General  Taylor,  his  officers  and  men,  for  their  forti- 
tude, skill,  enterf>rise  and  courage  upon  the  Rio 
Grand(!,  was  approved  by  the  President.  Similar 
resolutions  passed  Congress  March  2d,  184'i,  Maivh 
9th,  1848,  and  August  7th,  1848,  tendei'ing  the 
thanks  of  Congress  to  General  Taylor  and  his  men 
for  the  victory  of  Monterey  and  Buena  Vista  ;  and 
to  General  Scott,  his  officei-s  and  men,  for  the  bril- 
liant campaign  of  1847  ;  and  to  the  officei's,  sailoi-a 
and  marines,  for  their  zeal  and  ability  l)efore  the 
walls  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de 
UUoa.* 


♦  "  An  exritinff  wene  chnractcrized  nn  attempt  to  pass  a  resolution 
tendering  tlic  thankK  of  ronpress  to  pevoral  geneml  officers.     Mr.  Clmge 
of  Tennenpec,  on  tlio  21x1  of  Febriinry,  1848,  Introduced  certain  resolu- 
tions for  that  purpoHC.     The  question  before  the  House  was,  '  Shall  the 
20 


806 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


This  wcos  not  only  done,  but  substantial  benefits 
were  conferred,  with  great  liberality,  upoix  the  pri- 
vate soldiers,  in  the  shape  of  bounties  and  bounty 
lands. 

main  question  be  now  put  ?'  when  Mr.  John  Quincy  Adams,  in  the  attempt 
to  address  the  Speaker,  was  seized  apparently  with  the  agonies  of  Jeatli, 
and  was  borne  to  the  Rotunda,  and  thence  to  the  Speaker's  room,  where 
after  lingering  a  few  days  he  expired."— Congressional  Globe,  1st  session 
30lli  Congress,  p.  381. 


M    (i; 


V    m' 


1^  ^r*   «— 


w      «iv      tmi 

ii  :#i  •^ 


POLK     A  D  M  I  N I  iS  '1  U  A  i  1  O  N  . 


307 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  Tariff. — Opinions  of  Messrs.  Clay  and  Polk  upon  that  question. — Mes- 
sage of  Mr.  Polk. — Report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. — Passage  of 
the  Tariff  of  1846. — Argument?  of  the  friends  and  opponents  of  free  trade. 
— The  Constitutional  Treasury  established. — Discussions  in  the  Cunsljtu- 
tionnl  Convention  — Public  Debt  of  the  United  States. — Proposed  Tax 
upon  Tea  and  Coffee. 

The  tariff  was  a  prominent  question  in  the  presiden- 
tial contest  of  1844.  The  act  of  1842  had  violated 
the  principles  of  the  compromise  of  1833,*  and  the 
exciting  subject,  instead  of  being  put  "to  rest  for 
ever,''  was  again  to  be  decided  by  the  American 
people.  The  principles  of  the  two  candidates  upon 
this  inte?esting  and  difficult  question,  were  well  de- 
fined prior  to  tlie  termination  of  their  congressional 
career.  Mr.  Polk  was  thoroughly  com.uitted  to  the 
policy  of  a  revenue  tariff,  and  Mr.  Clay,  when  the 
compromise  act  was  under  discussion,  pledged  the 
party  favorable  to  protection,  to  a  reduction  of  the 
tariff  to  a  revenue  standard.f    Previous  to  his  nomi- 


♦  "  The  present  tariff  law  is  sufficiently  discriminating; ;  holds  to  com- 
mon sense,  and  rejects  the  principles  of  the  Compromise  Act,  I  hope,  for 
ever." — Mr.  \Vehsler''s  Sjmech  at  Faneuil  Hall,  Seplemtier,  1842. 

t  "  I  nm  anxious  to  find  out  some  principles  of  mutual  accomniodntinn, 
to  Botisfy,  as  far  as  practicable,  both  parties  ;  to  increase  the  stability  of 
our  legislation ;  and,  at  some  distant  day — but  not  too  distai^t,  when  we 
take  into  view  the  magnitude  of  the  intere.'*la  -vhich  are  involved — to  bring 
down  tiie  rale  of  duties  to  thai  revenue  slnndard  for  which  our  opponents 


mm 


508 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


nation  for  the  presidency,  Mr,  Clay  made  a  speech 
at  Raleigh,  in  which  he  advocated  disci-iminating 
duties  for  the  protection  of  domestic  industry.* 
This  was  followed  by  his  letter,  in  September,  1844, 
to  a  whig  committee  in  Pennsylvania,  in  which  he 
gave  in  his  adhesion  to  the  taiiff  of  1842.  Alarmed 
at  the  prospect  of  losing  votes  in  the  Southern 
States,  by  his  opposition  to  the  annexation  of  Texas, 
he  saw  certain  defeat  in  the  future,  unless  he  could 
rally  to  his  support  the  people  of  the  North.  This 
produced  one  concession  after  another,  until  he  hud 
abandoned  the  ji-round  which  he  occupied  in  883.f 
No  excuse  can  be  oifered  for  this  palpable  aban- 
donment of  principles  which  had  been  so  solemnly 
proclaimed;  an{i  the  words  which  he  uttered  in 
1833,  are  a  witheiing  rebuke  upon  the  course  which 
he  subsequently  pursued,  and  stamp  in  lettei-s  of 
living  fire  upon  his  own  forehead,  the  anathemas 
which  he  fulminated  in  advance  against  others. 

The  course  pursued  by  Mr,  Polk  during  that 
campaign,  is  by  no  means  free  from  a  just  ciiticism, 

have  so  long  contended." — Speech  of  Mr.  Clay  in  tlin  Senate  on  a  Cnm- 
prumisc  Act,  1833. 

*  "  Hnro  is  a  basis  for  accommodatlcrn  and  mutual  satisfaction.  Ijet 
the  amount  which  is  requisite  for  an  econmiical  admini.'<lration  of  the 
Government,  wlien  we  are  not  cngajrod  in  a  war,  be  raised  exclui^ively  nn 
foreign  imports  ;  and  in  adjusting  a  tariff  for  that  purpose,  let  such  discrim- 
inations be  made  as  will  foster  and  encourage  our  own  domestic  industry. 
All  parties  ought  to  be  satisfied  with  a  tariff  for  revenue,  and  discrimina- 
tions for  protection." — Mr.  Clay's  Ralcifrh  Speech. 

t  "  When  this  was  known,  what  Congress,  what  IjCgislature,  would 
mar  the  guaranty  ?  VVliat  man,  wlio  is  entitled  to  deserve  the  cliari.i'tor 
of  an  American  statesman,  would  stand  up  in  his  place  in  either  Hou.»e  of 
Congress,  and  disturb  the  treaty  of  peace  and  amity?" — Mr.  Clay'* 
Speech,  February  12,  1833. 


JASPl.K   J.lJJRAliV, 

Oii^aii'i  Mai'cli  l.in.l*!, 
T  list  1    Apr.  'J^^  '  in.'>T 


POLK     A  D  M  I  N  I  S  T  K  A  T  I  O  N  . 


309 


Several  letters  went  addressed  to  him,  H()licitiii<;j  liis 
views  uj)ou  the  taritt"  question ;  and  the  answer 
which  he  gave  to  one  of  them,  was  the  subject  of 
much  discussion  in  every  station  of  the  Union.* 
While  it  was  admitted  in  several  of  the  Southern 
States,  that  Mr.  Clay  was  in  favor  of  disci-iminations 
for  the  protection  of  home  industry,  it  was  at  the 
same  time  insisted  that  Mr,  Polk  entertained  the  same 
viewa.f  In  Pennsylvania,  it  was  argued  by  the 
democratic  party,  that  the  two  candidates  occupied 
the  same  platfoi-m  upon  the  tanff  question.  J  If  the 
principles  which  Mr.  Pf)lk  really  entertained  were 
misunderstood,  owing  to  the  phraseology  of  his  Kane 
letter,  he  was  not  himself  altogether  blameless  for 


♦  "  Dear  Sir  :  I  have  received  recently  severnl  letterH,  in  reference 
to  my  opinions  on  the  sulyect  of  the  tarifT,  and,  among  othe-a,  yours  of  the 
30th  ultimo.  My  opinions  on  this  subject  have  been  often  given  to  the 
public.  They  are  to  be  found  in  my  public  acts,  and  in  the  public  discus- 
i<ions  in  which  I  have  participated. 

"  I  am  in  favor  of  a  tariff  for  revenue,  such  a  one  as  will  yield  a  suffi- 
cient amount  to  the  treasury  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  Government, 
econc.mically  administered.  In  adjusting  the  details  of  a  revenue  tariff,  I 
have  heretofore  sanctioned  such  moderate  discriminating  duties  as  would 
produce  the  amount  of  revenue  needed,  and  at  the  same  time  afford  reason- 
able incidental  protection  to  our  home  industry.  I  am  opposed  to  a  tariff 
for  protection  merely  and  not  for  revc.iue." — Ijitller  of  Mr.  Polk  Ut  John 
K.  Kane,  dated  Columbia,  Tennessee,  June  19,  1844. 

t  The  author  was  upon  the  democratic  electoral  ticket  in  Tennessee, 
in  1844,  and  his  opponent,  while  ho  admitted  that  Mr.  Clay  was  in  favor 
of  discriminating  duties  for  the  protection  of  home  industry,  would  insist, 
from  the  language  of  the  Kane  letter,  that  Mr.  Polk  was  a  protectionist  to 
the  same  extent  as  Mr.  Clay. 

I  "  We  therefore  insisted  that  the  one  was  as  good  a  tariff  man  as  the 
other." — Speech  of  James  Thompson  of  I'enn.,  July  1,  1846.  Con^rres- 
s'uinal  Globe,  Appendix,  1st  session  '2\)lh  Congress. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  explaining  the  course  pursBcd  in  that  Slate  in  the 
contest  between  Messrs.  Clay  and  I'olk. 


310 


HISTORr     OF     THE 


iii; 


the  error  which  was  committed  by  h.h  supporters. 
It  is  not  to  be  disguised,  that  the  Eng  ish  language 
was  of  sufficient  scope  and  flexibility  tc  enable  him 
to  define  his  opinions  with  more  clearness  and 
greater  precision.  If  he  had  stated  that  he  was  in 
favor  of  a  tariff  discriminating  ahne  in  favor  of  re- 
venue, there  would  have  been  no  misconception  of 
his  views.  Or  if  he  had  expressed  his  preference 
for  such  discriminating  duties  as  would  producd  the 
amount  of  revenue  needed, — protection  flowing  as  a 
necessary-  incident  therefrom,  every  man  of  ordinaiy 
undei-standing  would  have  comprehended  hh  mean- 
ing. The  voters  in  the  North  were  deceived  by  the 
use  of  language  which  had  the  effect  of  obscuring, 
instead  of  more  clearly  defining  his  position.  The 
assertion  that  he  had  sanctioned  such  moderate  dis- 
criminating duties  as  would  produce  the  amount  of 
revenue  needed,  was  the  statement  of  a  fact  which 
the  record  confirms ;  and  there  he  ought  to  have 
8to[)ped,  because  every  one  understands  that  pro- 
t(iction  flows  as  a  necessary  incident  from  a  reventbe 
tai'itf.  The  statement  that  he  was  opposed  to  a 
taiifffor  protection  merely,  and  not  for  revenue, 
should  have  been  transposed,  by  asserting  that  he 
was  in  favor  of  a  tariff  for  revenue  merely,  which 
would  have  endorsed  the  principles  he  had  always 
entertained,  and  which  he  subsequently  enforced 
with  his  characteristic  ability  and  energy. 

The  views  which  Mr.  Polk  entertained,  were  ex- 
plained with  j)recision  and  ability  in  his  first  annual 
message.*     The  principles  w^hich  would  govern  hia 

*  "  The  attention  of  Congress  is  invited  to  the  importance  of  making 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


311 


administration  were  proclaimed  with  great  boldness, 
and  the  odious  features  of  the  tariff  of  1842  were 
thoroughly  investigated   and   exposed.      Congress 

■nitablc  modifications  and  reductions  of  the  rates  of  duty  imposed  by  our 
prcHcnt  tariff  laws.  Tiie  object  of  imposing  duties  on  imports  should  be 
to  raise  rcvpnue  to  pay  the  necessary  expenses  of  Government.  Congress 
may,  undoubtedly,  in  the  exercise  of  a  sound  discretion,  discriminate  in 
arranging  the  rates  of  duty  on  different  articles ;  but  the  discriminations 
should  be  within  the  revenue  standard,  and  be  made  with  a  view  to  raise 
money  for  the  support  of  the  Government." 

"  It  becomes  important  to  understand  distinctly  what  is  meant  by  a 
revenue  standard,  the  maximum  of  which  should  not  be  exceeded  in  the 
rates  of  duty  imposed.  It  is  conceded,  and  experience  proves  that  duties 
may  be  laid  so  high  as  to  diminish,  or  prohibit  altogether,  the  importation 
of  any  given  article,  and  thereby  lessen  or  destroy  the  revenue  which,  at 
lower  rates,  would  be  derived  from  its  im)X)rtation.  Such  duties  exceed 
tlie  revenue  rates,  and  are  not  imposed  to  raise  money  for  the  support  of 
government.  If  Congress  levy  a  duty  for  revenue  of  one  per  cent,  on  a 
given  article',  it  will  produce  a  given  amount  of  money  to  the  treasury, 
and  will  incidentally  and  necessarily  afford  protection  or  advantage  to  the 
amount  of  one  per  cent,  to  the  home  manufacturer  of  a  similar  or  like  arti- 
cle over  the  importer.  If  the  duty  be  raised  to  ten  per  cent.,  it  will  pro- 
duce a  greater  amount  of  money,  and  afford  greater  protection.  If  it  be 
itill  raised  to  twenty,  twenty-five,  or  thirty  per  cent.,  and  if  as  it  is  raised 
the  revenue  derived  from  it  is  found  to  be  increased,  the  protection  or  ad- 
vantage will  also  be  increased ;  but  if  it  be  raised  to  thirty-one  per  cent., 
and  it  is  found  that  the  revenue  produced  at  that  rate  is  less  than  thirty 
per  cent.,  it  ceases  to  be  a  revenue  duty.  The  precise  point  in  the  as- 
cending scale  of  duties  at  which  it  is  ascertained  from  experience  that  the 
revenue  i«  greatest,  is  the  maximum  rate  of  duty  which  can  be  laid  for  the 
lumafide  purpose  of  collecting  money  for  the  support  of  the  Government. 
To  raise  the  duties  higher  than  that  point,  and  thereby  diminish  the 
amount  collected,  is  to  levy  them  for  protection  merely,  and  not  for  reve- 
nue. As  long,  then,  as  Congress  may  gradually  increase  the  rate  of  duty 
on  a  given  article,  and  the  revenue  is  increased  by  such  increase  of  duty, 
they  are  within  the  revenue  standard.  When  they  go  beyond  that  point, 
and  as  they  increase  the  duties,  the  revenue  \e  diminished  or  destroyed, 
tho  act  ceases  to  have  for  its  object  the  raising  of  money  to  support  Gov- 
ernment, but  is  for  protection  merely." 

"  It  does  not  follow  that  Congress  should  levy  the  highest  duty  on  all 
articles  of  import  which  they  will  bear  within  the  revenue  standard ;  for 


JASPEU  I.IHllAUY, 


312 


IIISTOUY     OF    TUE 


was  urged  to  sul>«titiik;  ad  valorem  for  specific  and 
miuimuiu  dutiew.  That  i)oi'tion  of  his  message  is  a 
masterly  and  unanHVverable  argument  in  favor  of  free 
trade,  and  b(jre  the  iiii[)r(!Hs  of  a  comprehensive  mind, 
thoroughly  indjued  w  ith  the  subject. 

such  rates  would  probably  produce  a  much  larger  amount  than  the  econo- 
mical adminiKtrution  of  the  Oovemmcnt  would  require.  Nor  does  it  fol- 
low that  the  duties  on  all  articli.-x  nhould  be  at  the  same,  or  a  horizontal 
rate.  Some  articles  will  Ijear  a  much  higher  revenue  than  others.  Below 
the  maximum  of  the  revenue  stiindard  f 'ongress  may  and  ought  to  discri- 
minate in  the  rates  imposed,  taking  care  so  to  adjust  them  on  different  arti- 
cles as  to  produce  in  tJie  aggregate  the  amount  which,  when  added  to  the 
proceeds  of  sales  of  public  laiidn,  may  be  needed  to  pay  the  economical  ex- 
penses of  the  Government.  In  levying  a  tariff  of  duties.  Congress  exer- 
cise the  taxing  power,  and  for  purposes  of  revenue  may  select  the  objects 
of  taxation.  They  may  exempt  certain  articles  altogether,  and  permit  their 
importation  free  of  duty.  ()n  otbtrs  they  may  impose  low  duties.  In 
these  classes  should  be  embraced  such  articles  of  necessity  as  are  in  gene- 
ral use,  and  especially  such  a»  arc  consumed  by  the  laborer  and  the  poor, 
as  well  as  by  the  wealthy  dir/en.  Care  should  be  taken  that  all  the  great 
interests  of  the  country,  including  manufactures,  agriculture,  commerce, 
navigation  and  the  mechanic  arts,  should,  as  far  as  may  be  practicable, 
derive  equal  advantages  from  the  incidental  protection  which  a  just  system 
of  revenue  duties  may  afford.  Taxation,  direct  or  indirect,  is  a  burden,  and 
it  should  be  so  imposed  on  to  operate  as  equally  as  may  be  on  all  classes 
in  the  proportion  of  their  afrility  to  bear  it.  To  make  the  taxing  power 
an  actual  benefit  to  one  class,  necessarily  increases  the  burden  of  the 
others  beyond  their  proportion,  and  would  be  manifestly  unjust.  The 
terms  '  protection  to  domestic  industry  '  are  of  popular  import ;  but  they 
should  apply  under  a  just  system  to  all  the  various  branches  of  industry 
in  our  country.  The  fanner  or  planter  who  toils  yearly  in  his  fields,  is 
engaged  in  '  domestic  industry,'  and  is  as  much  entitled  to  have  his  labor 
'  protected  '  as  the  manufacturr^r,  the  man  of  commerce,  the  navigator,  or 
the  meclmiiic,  who  are  engugwl  also  in  '  domestic  industry'  in  their  differ- 
ent pursuits.  The  joint  labors  of  all  these  classes  constitute  the  aggre- 
gate of  the  '  domoBtic  industry'  of  the  nnl^'in,  and  they  are  equally  entitled 
to  the  nation's  '  protection.'  No  one  of  them  can  justly  claim  to  be  the 
exclusive  recipient  of  '  protcctirm '  which  can  only  be  afforded  by  increas- 
ing burdens  on  '  domestic  industry'  of  the  others. ".^JVfessog'e  nf  Mr.  Polk 
to  Congreft,  December,  1846. 


POLK     ALMINI8TRATI0N. 


313 


'Du-  flocti-ines  which  were  sustained  by  the  Ex- 
ecutive were  enfoi'ced  with  consummate  ability  by 
the  Hccreturj'  of  the  Treasury.  He  made  certain 
j>riii(ri|>hfs  tlie  basis  of  his  celebrate^^  report  against 
tfie  protective  policy*  That  arguiuent  has  been 
hijbmitted  to  the  test  of  scrutiny  and  of  time.  The 
nirwt  powerful  advocates  of  the  protective  system 
employed  their  energies  in  refuting  his  assumptions, 
and  controverting  his  facts.  But  his  platform  was 
never  al)andoned ;  and  like  the  sailor,  whose  eye  is 
fixerl  uf)on  his  compass  amidst  storms  and  tempests, 
be  a<lhered  to  his  principles  with  an  iron  will,  and 
an  inflexibility  of  purpose,  which  insured  success 
against  all  opposition. 

(J>n  the  15th  of  June,  1846,  the  House  of  Repre- 
mntiiUvea  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  a  bill  for 
the  refK;al  of  the  tariff  of  1842.  The  debate  upon 
thjji  )»ill  was  characterized  by  great  power.  Princi- 
ples were  laid  down,  and  facts  adduced.     Musty 


*  *'  1st.  That  no  more  money  bHouW  be  collected  than  is  necessary  for 
Ihe  wanti  of  the  Government,  economically  administered. 

"  '2»i,  That  no  duty  be  imposed  on  any  article  above  the  lowest  rate 
wtfich  will  yield  the  largest  amount  of  revenue. 

"  3<l,  That,  below  such  rate,  discrimination  may  be  made,  descending 
in  tbf!  nr.aio  nf  duties ;  or,  for  imperative  reasons,  the  article  may  be  placed 
in  thn  list  o(  those  free  from  all  duty. 

**  'Ifh.  That  the  maximum  revenue  duty  should  be  imposed  on  luxuries. 

•*  f>lU.  That  all  minimums,  all  specific  duties,  should  be  abolished,  and 
avf  valorem  (iufics  substituted  in  their  place,  care  being  taken  to  guard 
ajptrn^t  frnudulRnt  invoices  a])d  undcr-vuluation,  and  to  assess  the  duty 
npfm  thfl  actual  market  value. 

"  Wh.  That  the  duties  should  be  so  imposed  as  to  operate  as  equally  aa 
fftmfAf  throughout  the  Union,  discriuiinating  neither  for  nor  against  any 
«rl*M  fiT  section." — Report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  December 


314 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


volumes  were  examined,  and  the  talents  which  were 
concentrated  in  the  House  of  Representatives  were 
devoted  to  the  discussion  of  the  subject.  The  city 
of  Washington  was  thronged  by  the  manufacturers 
and  their  agents,  and  every  effort  which  ingenuity 
could  devise  was  exerted  to  defeat  the  passage  of 
the  tariff  of  1846.  After  a  long  discussion,  the  bill 
passed  the  House  of  llepresentatives  on  the  3d  of 
July,  1846,  by  a  vote  of  114  to  95.*  Among  the 
number  who  voted  for  the  passage  of  the  bill  there 
was  but  one  whig. 

Although  the  bill  had  passed  by  a  triumphant 
majority  through  the  House  of  Representatives,  it 
was  destined  to  encounter  a  formidable  opposition 
in  the  Senate.  The  supported  and  opponents  of 
fi'ee  trade  in  that  body  were  nearly  equal.  The 
bill  came  very  near  being  defeated  by  the  unex- 
pected resignation  of  William  H.  Haywood,  of 
North  Carolina,f  whose  conduct  produced  a  feeling 
of  indignation  in  the  democratic  party,  and  at  once 
elevated  the  hopes  of  the  opponents  of  reform. 
The  contest  became  more  exciting,  and  gi'eat  anxi- 
ety was  felt  not  only  in  Washington,  but  throughout 
the  country.  The  fate  of  the  bill  now  depended 
upon  the  vote  of  Mr.  Jarnagin,  a  whig  member  of 
the  Senate  from  Tennessee,  who  had  been  instructed 

*  Congressional  Globe,  1st  session  29th  Congress,  p.  1053. 

t  "WashiiIIton  City,  .My  25th,  1846. 
"  I  hereby  respectfully  resign  my  seat  in  the  Senate  as  one  of  the 
Senators  from  North  Carolina. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

"  WILLIASr  H.  HAYWOOD,  Jr." 
Congressifinal  Ghihe,  Is/  sessinn  29rt  Congress,  p.  1141. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


315 


to  vote  for  a  bill  which  emhodied  the  principles  of 
the  one  then  Ijefore  the  Senate.  It  was  a  matter 
of  great  doubt  whether  he  would  not  either  openly 
disobey  those  instructions,  or  manage  in  some  Avay 
to  evade  them.  Contrary  to  the  expectations  of 
those  who  placed  a  just  apjireciation  upon  the 
general  character  of  that  Senator,  he  said  he  would 
obey  his  instructions,*  although  the  instincts  of  the 
man  were  illustrated,  when  he  hazarded  its  defeat 
by  intrusting  the  fate  of  the  bill  to  the  casting  vote 
of  the  Vice  President. 

A  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Johnson,  of  Maiy- 
land,  to  commit  the  bill  with  instructions,  and  upon 
that  proposition  the  Senate  wa.s  equally  divided, 
27  Senators  voting  for  and  27  against  the  propo- 
sition. It  Avas  decided  in  the  negative  liy  the  cast- 
ing vote  of  the  Vice  President.f  If  M»'.  Jarnagin 
had  faithfully  obeyed  his  instructions,  Mr.  Dallas 
would  not  have  Ijeen  called  upon  to  exercise  the 
duty  which  his  position  as  presiding  officer  imposed 
upon  him,  during  that  struggle.;};  It  was,  however, 
expecting  too  much  from  Spencer  Jarnagin  to  sup- 
pose he  would  pursue  the  path  of  duty  with  unde- 
viating  footsteps.  The  coui-se  which  he  adopted, 
while  it  exemplified  his  own  character,  aftbrded  the 

*  "  But  the  leading  features  of  the  bill  I  am  instructed  to  maintain,  and 
by  voting  against  the  bill  I  would  vote  against  the  principles  which  I  am 
instructed  to  support.  I  shal^^y  these  instructions." — Speech  of  Mr. 
Jarnagin.  ^P 

t  Congressional  Globe,  1st  session  29th  Congress,  p.  1155, 
\  "  The  President  said  that  ho  was  taken  by  surprise  in  consequence 
of  the  course  pursued  by  the  Senator  from  Tennessee,  [Mr.  Jarnagin,] 
who  did  not  vote ;  but  as  he  was  called  upon  to  give  the  casting  vote,  he 
would  vote  in  tiie  ne{;ative." — Ibid. 


.fASPKli  I.IJiUAllY, 

Oi'gjiiii  March  l.lf{.-4, 

Iiist'J  A\.v.  Z^'i  lur^T . 


816 


HISTOBY     OF     THE 


Vice  President  an  opportunity  of  illustrating  liis 
moral  firmness  by  an  act  of  bold  and  majestic  gran- 
deur, which  stamped  him  as  one  of  the  distinguished 
m^n  of  the  age.  When  the  bill  was  ordered  to  a 
third  reading,  Mr.  Jarnagin  again  refused  to  vote, 
and  the  Senate  was  again  equally  divided,  and  the 
fate  of  the  measure  Avas  decided  by  the  casting  vote 
of  Mr. ,  Dallas.  Before  proceeding  to  decide  the 
important  question  which  wtis  now  under  his  con- 
trol, and  upon  which  so  much  interest  and  feeling 
depended,  the  Vice  President  addressed  the  Senate.* 

*  "  The  President  rose  and  said  : 

"  The  Senate  being  equally  divided  on  this  important  question,  I  may 
be  indulged  in  briefly  stating  the  principal  reasons  for  the  vote  I  am  re- 
quired by  the  Constitution  to  give. 

"  Excluded  from  any  participation  in  forming  or  modifying  the  bill,  I 
am  bound  to  sanction  or  condemn  it  exactly  in  the  shape  in  which  it 
stands.  The  responsibility  is  deeply  felt.  It  belongs,  however,  to  the 
office  assigned  to  me  by  my  fellow-citizens,  and  will  be  assumed  with 
frankness,  and,  I  hope,  not  unbecoming  firmness.  The  consequences  of 
my  decision,  either  way,  may  seriously  affect  the  country.  No  one  can 
entertain,  as  to  that,  a  profounder  solicitude.  But,  after  summoning  to 
my  aid  the  best  purpscs  and  best  lights  that  I  can  command,  the  conse- 
quences, be  they  what  they  may,  must  be  hazarded. 

"  The  system  for  obtaining  the  revenue  necessary  to  support  their  Go- 
vernment is  established,  directly  or  indirectly,  by  the  people  of  the  United 
State.s.  within  the  limits,  r.nd  agreeably  to  the  prescribed  forms  of  the  <  'on- 
stitution.  Whatever  is  ascertained  to  be  their  will  on  the  subject,  all 
should  undoubtedly  acquiesce  in.  Tiiat  there  are  known  and  approved 
modes  by  which  their  will  is  expressed,  cannot  be  questioned ;  and  the 
public  officer  who  reads  that  will  with  candor  and  integrity,  may  feel  os- 
Bured  that  he  conforms  to  the  institutions^^  his  country  when  he  makes 
it  the  guide  of  his  conduct.  To  my  minHmple  proof  has  been  furnished 
that  a  majority  of  the  people  and  of  the  States  desire  to  change,  to  a  great 
extent,  in  principle,  if  not  fundamentally,  the  system  heretofore  pursued 
in  assessing  the  duties  on  foreign  imports.  That  majority  has  manifested 
itself  in  various  ways,  and  is  attested  by  its  representatives  in  the  other 
Honse  of  Congress,  by  whom  this  bill  has  been  approved,  and  whose  votes 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


317 


The  scene  which  was  witnessed  upon  that  occasion 
was  one  of  the  most  imposing  that  ever  occurred  in 
that  chamber.     It  was  not  known  Avith  certainty 


undeniably  indicate  the  popular  sense  in  tlie  large  proportion  of  eighteen 
out  of  the  twenty-eight  States.  In  this  Senate  on  analysis  of  the  vnto 
before  me  discloses  that  while  six  States  (Ohio,  Virginia,  New-Ham  pslii  re, 
Georgia,  Michigan  and  Maine)  are  equally  divided ;  eleven  (Louisiana, 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Kentucky,  Massachusetts,  New-Jersey,  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  Maryland,  North  Carolina  and  Vermont)  are  against, 
and  eleven  (Arkansas,  Missouri,  Alabama,  Illinois,  Indiana,  South  Caroli- 
na, Mississippi,  New-York,  Texas,  Tennessee  and  Florida)  are  for  the 
change.  Peculiarly  situated  as  I  am  in  my  relation  to  the  national  legis- 
lature, these  impressive  facts  cannot  be  overlooked.  In  a  case  free  from 
constitutional  objection,  I  could  not  justiflably  counteract,  by  a  sort  of  offi- 
cial veto,  the  general  will. 

"  The  struggle  to  exert  without  abatement  the  constitutional  power  of 
taxation,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  protect,  by  high  duties  on  imports,  many 
of  the  productions  of  our  own  soil  and  labor  from  the  competition  of  other 
countries,  has  endured  for  more  than  thirty  years.  During  that  period,  n 
system  of  high  taxation  has  prevailed,  with  fluctuations  of  success  and 
failure.  It  is  a.s  vigorously  and  as  cxactingly  insisted  upon  now  as  ever; 
and,  indeed,  it  would  seem,  in  some  insUmces,  as  if  the  longer  the  advan- 
tage of  a  particular  tax  was  enjoyed,  the  stronger  became  the  desire  for  its 
continuance,  and  even  its  augmentation.  And  yet  it  ought  to  be  remem- 
bered that  this  exercise  of  the  taxing  power,  by  which  the  great  mass  of 
consumers  are  made  to  swell  the  profits  of  a  few  branches  of  industry, 
was  originally  intended  to  be  temporary,  to  Iks  continued  only  so  long  as 
its  continuance  was  necessary  to  the  itidustrinl  independence  and  safety 
of  the  whole  people.  Such  was  the  language,  the  inculcation,  the  spirit, 
in  which  it  was  proposed  and  justified  by  its  earliest  and  wisest  friends. 
The  design  was  to  foster  feeble  '  infant'  manufactures,  especiolly  such  as 
were  essential  to  the  defence  of  the  country  in  time  of  war.  In  this  de- 
sign the  people  have  persevered  until,  with  some,  but  not  weighty,  excep- 
tions, these  saplings  have  taken  deep  root,  have  become  vigorous,  expand- 
ed and  powerful,  and  are  prepared  to  share  the  common  lot  of  human  pur- 
suits, and  to  enter  with  confid||[^e  the  field  of  free,  fair,  and  universal 
competition. 

"  The  arrival  of  this  period  of  time,  long  promised,  has  been  anxiously 
looked  for  by  a  large  and  jiisstly  resppcled  portion  of  our  fellow-citizens, 
who  deemed  themselves  peculiar  and  ahnostexrlusive  sufferers  by  the  po- 
licy of  protection.     They  have  sometimes,     jrhaps,  imprudently  endeav- 


318 


niHTORY     OF     THE 


what  course  Mr.  DalliiH  would  puisne.  Tlio  Repre- 
sentative Hall  was  almost  desei'tetl,  and  the  iiieni- 
hevs  crowded  into  the  Senate  to  witness  the  termi- 

ored  to  anticipate  it.  Their  mimbors,  iit  first  pntitiod  to  influence  only 
from  their  patriutiflin  nnd  intollijioncp,  hnvp  jjono  on,  (jrndimliy  incrriising 
M  the  nystcm  ripened  to  its  I'riiit,  nnd  they  now  conHtituto  whiit  I  am 
hound  by  reffistered  facts  to  regard  as  a  decided  majority  of  the  people 
and  of  the  Union. 

"  It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  this  change  of  financial  arrangement, 
brought  aix)Ut  by  public  opinion, '  which  every  where  niiifhl  It)  fruidn  and 
influence  slalefmen,'  should,  novertlielem,  be  chari.rterizeil  by  moderation, 
nay,  by  scrupulous  tenderness  for  those  interests  of  our  fellnw-citizona 
that  are  to  be  affected  by  it.  The  legislation  which  encouraged  their  in- 
vestments, their  educational  training,  or  their  habits,  should  cease,  finally 
and  firmly,  if  required,  but  still  soothingly  and  gently  ;  nnd  hence  I  may  be 
pardoned  for  expressing  a  regret  tliat  certain  provisions  which,  in  their 
bearing,  seem  to  me  trenchant  nnd  sudden  beyond  the  calls  of  the  occa- 
sion, have  been  allowed  to  remain  as  parts  of  this  hill.  Were  it  in  my 
power  to  except  these  provisions  from  the  operation  of  my  vote,  I  would 
do  so ;  but  viewed  as  a  whole,  as  a  measure  to  accommodate  a  vast  and  in- 
tricate subject  to  the  prevailing  sentiment  of  the  American  people,  to  re- 
duce the  burdens  artificially  impi>8ed  upon  the  laboring  and  productive 
masses,  and  to  reconcile  diminished  restrictions  of  trade,  with  increased 
contributions  from  it,  I  cannot  resist  the  impressioi>  ti;at  the  bill  is  more 
equal,  more  tempered  and  morejus^t,  than  the  act  o''  J^' J2,  which  it  super- 
sedes. That  it  deals  with  some  pursuits  and  resources  of  my  native  com- 
monwealth less  kindly  than  she  might  well  Pxpec;,doe8  not  relieve  me 
from  my  duty,  but  only  makes  its  performance  personally  reluctant  and 
poinful. 

'•  In  aid  of  these  considerations,  adequate,  perhaps,  in  themselves  to 
control  my  vote,  there  is  another  which,  I  am  free  to  confess,  nothing  but 
an  unforeseen,  sheer  and  pressing  public  necessity,  could  ever  induce  me 
to  forego  or  forget.     In  strict  concord  with  the  letter  and  spirit  of  the 
Constitution,  the  Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  now  called  upon  to 
act,  is  the  direct  agent  and  representative  of  the  whole  people.     In  ad- 
vance, and  dependent  upon  contingentdksults,  it  is  perfectly  competent  •  ""   \^ 
to  thifi,  his  national   constituency,  to  give   instructions,  and   to  receive        • 
pledges  for  their  execution.     On  this  identical  subject  of  a  tariff  of  duties 
on  imports,  whatever  -nry  have  been  the  cause  of  local  and  cnsunl  incon-    '-^^ 
sistency,  my  own  honor  can  admit  of  no  disclaimer  of  instrncfions  that 
were  formally  announced,  and  my  own  good  faith  stands  inviolable  to  a        /    ) 


Oi,:aiij  March  l.in.'i'lv 
I  list ct   Apr.  ::f"'»  1H.">7. 


I'OLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


319 


nation  »»f  tlie  stnigglp.  The  galleriea  were  thronged 
with  iMJuuty  an<l  fiwhion.  The  nianufiicturers  were 
a8seinl>led  in  Htrong  force.  The  reporters  bent  ea- 
gerly forward  to  catch  the  words  which  fell  from 
th(!  lips  of  the  presiding  officer.  A  solemn  silence 
reigned  profound,  while  Mr.  Dallas  proceeded  to 
deliver  his  celebrated  address.  All  eyes  were  bent 
upon  his  w>mraanding  and  expi'essive  countenance, 
and  each  ear  drank  in  the  language  which  he  v  'v 
tered  with  an  eaniestness  and  inijiressiveness  of 
tone,  that  proved  his  sinceiity.  As  he  proceeded, 
the  hopes  and  fears  of  his  audience  alternated,  and 
when  he  concluded,  the  most  unbounded  satisfaction 
was  expressed  by  all  Avho  favored  reform,  and  the 
deepest  disapjKiintnient  and  chagrin  wei-e  imprinted 
upon  the  countenances  of  the  protectionists. 

On  the  28tli  of  July,  the  Inll  passed  the  Senate 
with  an  unimportant  amendment,  and  was  returned 
to  the  House  for  concurrence,  where  it  run  the 
hazard  of  defc^at.  After  its  passage  in  that  body, 
several  inemb«;rs  had  become  alarmed,  and  there 
was  great  danger  that  the  bill  would  be  defeated 
by  the  insertion  of  specific  duties.  The  ol)ject  of 
its  friends,  therefore,  was  to  sustain  the  demand  for 
the  previous  (question,  which  would  have  the  effect 
of  preventing  amendment  or  debate.    Tliat  motion 


pledge  voluntarily  given.  If  by  this  acting  it  be  my  misrortune  to  offend 
any  portion  of  tiumc  who  honored  me  with  tlieir  suffrages,  I  have  only  to 
Bay  to  them,  and  to  my  whole  country,  that  I  prefer  the  deepest  obscurity 
of  private  life,  with  an  unwounded  conscience,  to  the  glare  of  official  em- 
inence, spotted  by  a  sense  of  moral  delinquency." — Adtlress  of  the  Vice 
Presitlenl  of  the  Vniled  Slatfn,  July  28rt,  1846.  Congressional  Globe, 
lit  sessitm  29/A  Congreii,  p.  1166. 


320 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


could  not,  l)y  the  rules  of  the  House,  be  decided  by 
yeas  and  nays.  The  danger  that  was  incurred  re- 
sulted from  the  fact  that  certain  meinljei's  would 
vote  one  way,  when  their  names  were  placed  upon 
the  journal,  and  differently  when  they  were  not 
put  to  that  oi'deal,  and  the  consequence  was,  that 
the  vote  fjr  sustaining  the  call  for  the  previous 
question  was  102  ayes  and  101  noes*  If  the  pre- 
vious question  had  not  been  sustained,  the  bill,  in 
all  probaliility,  would  have  been  amended  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  insure  its  defeat ;  as  it  was,  it  passed 
the  House  by  a  vote  of  11/)  to  92,  and  the  Tariff 
Act  of  1846,  havnng  received  the  signatui'e  of  the 
President,  became  the  law  cf  the  land. 

For  the  reason  that  the  Tariff  question  was  the 
great  domestic  measure  of  reform  during  the  ad- 
ministration of  Mr.  Polk,  I  shall  give  at  considera- 
ble length  the  arguments  upon  both  sides.f 

*  Congressional  (ilobe,  Ist  session  29th  Congress,  p.  1165. 

f  "  Mr.  S.  said  lie  wisiied  to  consider  for  a  moment  the  Tariff  as  con- 
nected witli  .igriculture,  and  it  might  startle  the  Secretary  to  tell  him  that 
Blassachupotts  now  exported  to  foreign  markets  more  agricultural  produce 
than  any  other  State  in  the  Union.  She  exported  it  as  the  British  im- 
ported it,  not  in  its  raw  form,  hut  converted  into  manufactures ;  and, 
what  was  still  more  iuiportant  to  the  grain-growing  States,  she  exported 
it  in  a  form  not  to  compete  with,  or  at  all  effect,  the  price  of  produce,  in 
its  raw  condition,  in  the  foreign  markets.  And  it  might  startle  the  Secre- 
tary still  more  to  toll  him  that  millions  of  dollars'  worth  of  hay,  oats,  straw, 
grass,  and  corn,  were  transported  annually  over  the  mountains  ii  tlie 
Atlantic  markets,  from  Ohio,  Kentucky,  and  the  other  western  States. 
But  is  it  not  .strictly  and  undeniahly  true?  Not  in  its  origi.ial  form,  but 
like  British  goods,  converted  and  changed  into  a  condition  m  which  it  can 
be  transported  to  niiirkot — converted  into  hogs,  horscr.,  and  fat  cattle  ;  for 
what  are  these  hut  the  corn,  oal",  and  hay  of  the  western  farmer,  changed 
into  animated  form.",  and  made  to  {•am/  itself  i.i  market.  A  fat  hog  carries 
eight  or  ten  'lushels  of  corn  to  ma.-kot,  and  a  fine  western  horse  carries 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


321 


The  adjustment  of  a  tariff  has  been  the  cause 
of  much  difficulty  for  the  hist  thirty  years.  In  its 
discussion  the  ripest  scholars  and  profouudest  states- 
seventy  or  eiglity  dollars'  worth  of  hay  and  oats  to  the  eastern  market, 
with  the  farnier  on  top  of  it,  which  he  sells  for  the  cash,  and  returns  home 
to  repeat  the  process.  And  thus  foreigners  convert  tlieir  agricultural 
produce,  not  into  hogs,  and  horses,  but  into  cloth,  iron,  hats,  shoes,  every 
thing  you  find  on  the  merchant's  shelf,  and  send  them  here  for  sale  and 
consumption.  Our  merchants  throughout  the  country,  so  far  as  they  sell 
foreign  goods,  are  in  fact  but  retailers  of  foreign  agricultural  produce, 
converted  into  goods  and  sent  here  for  sale ;  and,  when  we  look  abroad  at 
their  vast  numbers,  is  it  surprif  ig  that  money  should  be  scarce  '!  It  has 
been  clearly  proved  tliat  more  than  half  the  value  of  a  yard  of  cloth  con- 
sists of  wool,  and  the  subsistence  of  the  labor  employed  in  its  manufac- 
ture. That  nine-tenths  of  the  value  of  pig-iron  consists  of  agricultural 
produce,  and  that  even  a  yard  of  lace  is  but  little  else  than  the  subsistence 
of  the  foreign  pauper  labor  employed  in  its  fabrication.  Yet  the  farmer 
seems  not  to  be  aware,  that  when  ho  pays  $20  for  a  suit  of  British  cloth, 
he  sends  IglO  of  the  20  in  hard  money  (tiiey  take  no  paper)  to  purchase 
British  wool,  and  bread,  and  meat,  while  he  has  no  market  for  his  own. 
Yet  is  it  not  true  ?  And  is  not  this  the  policy  recommended  by  this  Ad- 
ministration ?  He  was  admonished  to  be  brief,  but  he  would,  while  on 
this  pv-int,  state  another  fact  susceptible  of  the  clearest  demonstration, 
that  the  constituents  of  every  member  in  this  House  from  Ohio,  Indiana, 
Illinois,  and  all  the  grain-growing  States,  are  at  this  moment  purchasing 
and  consuming  five  dollars'  worth  of  British  agricultural  produce  to  one 
dollars'  worth  Great  Britain  takes  of  theirs.  By  referi'ifig  to  the  official 
reports  on  commerce  and  navigation  for  ten  or  twenty  years  back,  it 
would  bo  lound  that  our  imports  of  British  goods  amount  to  nearly  fifty 
millions  a  year,  while  she  has  taken,  of  all  the  agricultural  products  of 
the  grain-growing  States  of  this  Union,  flour,  grain,  meat,  &c.,  le.-fs  then 
two  millions  and  a  half.  1 .' jw  if  only  half  the  value  (and  it  was  much 
more)  of  these  goods  consisted  of  agricultural  produce,  this  would  give 
twenty-five  millions  of  British  ugricultural  produce,  taken  annually  by  us, 
to  two  and  a  half  millions  of  ours  taken  by  them,  just  ten  to  one.  Now, 
assuming  that  consumption  is  in  proportion  to  population ;  then  these 
western  gentlemen's  constituents  are  consuming  \o'  jlrehwt  ten  dnllars' 
worth  of  British  agricultural  produce  to  one  fJreat  Britain  takes  from 
them :  and  yet  the  Secretary  is  not  satisfied,  but  wishes  to  increRso  the 
import  of  foreign  goods  to  favor  the  farmers !  Reduce  the  duties,  says 
the  Administration,  to  increase  imports,  and  amen,  say  most  of  the  rt,ire- 
sentativcs  of  these  western  farmers.  But  what  would  these  farmers  say 
21 


TASPKU  I.IHUAU^ 


322 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


men  in  the  Union  have  exerted  their  powei-s.  The 
classes  ^\•]lo  have  Leen  favored  })y  the  protective 
system  have  struggled  to  maintain  the  privileges 

to  their  representatives  when  they  come  to  Iroit  practically  and  not  theo- 
retically at  this  matter  ?  He  (Mr.  S.)  intended  to  call  their  attention  to 
it.  He  intended,  after  the  example  of  the  Secretary,  to  address  some  ques- 
tions to  the  farmers  of  this  country,  and  he  hoped  soon  to  have  their  answers 
to  lay  hefore  the  House ;  he  wanted  tiic  facts  on  both  sides.  He  would  ask, 
for  instance,  how  much  agricultural  produce  thero  was  in  a  yard  of  do- 
mestic cloth,  or  a  ton  of  iron  ?  and  whether,  if  brought  from  England, 
(where  it  was  made  of  the  same  materials,)  they  did  not  purchase  English 
wool  and  provisions  converted  into  cloth,  iron,  &c.,  when  they  had  no 
market  for  their  own  ?  He  would  ask  the  merchants  and  manufacturers 
what  were  the  prices  of  cotton  and  woollen  goods,  giais,  iron,  nails,  &c., 
in  1816,  when  the  first  protective  tariff  was  adopted,  and  what  they  were 
now  ?  He  would  ask  the  working  men  what  would  be  the  effect  of '  free 
trade,'  recommended  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  on  the  wages  of 
labor  in  this  country  ?  Such  questions,  in  his  judgiiient,  would  not  only 
furnish  important  facts,  but,  what  was  more  important,  it  would  bring  the 
farmers  and  laborers  to  investigate  this  subject  in  a  common  sense  practi- 
cal point  of  view,  and  to  figure  it  out  for  themselves ;  in  this  way  more 
would  be  done  to  bring  the  |)eoplp  to  a  right  understanding  of  this  highly 
interesting  subject,  than  by  all  the  speeches  made  hero  or  elsewhere."— 
Speech  of  Mr.  A.  Slewarl,  in  the  Ilimse  of  Ri:prpsentative.s,  D-cemlier  9lh, 
1845.  Appendix:  to  the  Covgressional  Globe,  1st  session  29tk  Congress, 
p.  58. 


"  But  now  that  d  ictrine  is  repudiated  by  tiie  Administration.  The 
President  of  the  Un'ted  States,  his  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  the 
Committee  of  Wojs  and  Means,  have  made  the  financial  discovery  that  a 
reduction  of  tlie  Tariff  will  greatly  enhance  the  amount  of  revenue  from 
imports.  It  is  true,  that  thy  liave  the  operation  of  the  famous  compro- 
mise act  staring  them  in  the  face,  and  contradicting  their  ,.osition.  They 
know  that  in  18-12,  when  the  du^y  came  down  to  20  per  cent.,  the  revenue 
wos  reduced  to  $12,700,000 ;  and  that  by  the  commencement  of  cash 
duties  within  that  year,  the  year  1812  wos  practically  a  year  of  five  quar- 
ters ;  having  all  the  revenue  of  that  year,  and  the  payment  of  bonds 
given  for  iroods  imported  the  Inst  quarter  of  the  preceding  year ;  and, 
also,  that  this  revenue  would  have  fallen  off  still  more,  hod  not  Ccneress, 
early  in  1841,  imposed  additional  ilr.tie'  i.pnn  silks,  wit'"',  and  several 
other  articles.     All  this  must  be  known  to  the  Administration  ;  nor  can 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


323 


which  it  guarantied  against  the  arlvocates  of  free 
ti-ade.  The  contest  which  was  waged  during  the 
discussion  of  the  tariffs  of  1828  and  1842,  is  still 

;iiey  have  forpitten  the  etnbnrrasspd  sfnto  of  the  TrenHO'y,  and  the  almost 
perfect  prosfrnfion  of  every  bran'ih  of  industry  at  \\\<-^  time.  They  innst 
also  know,  that  the  Tariff  act  .)f  1842  relieved  trie  Treasury  and  pive 
Eeneral  prosperity  to  the  f^oiintry.  All  this  must  be  within  their  know- 
ledije ;  and  yet,  blind  to  the  past,  and  deiif  to  the  voice  of  experience, 
they  come  forward,  and  ask  ns  to  abandon  the  pf)li('y  nnder  which  we 
have  enjoyed  such  unexampled  prosperity,  and  to  follow  oiit  a  mere  ab* 
straction — the  dream  of  some  visionary  specnlators.  And  can  they  0V6 
us  any  assurance  that  their  system  will  work  well  ?  Can  the  Committee 
of  Ways  and  Means  tell  ns  what  amoimt  of  revenue  their  bill  will  yield  7 
They  have  furnished  ns  with  no  such  estimates.  And  I  presume,  if  m- 
terrojated,  the  honorable  Chairman  will  tell  I's  now.  as  he  did  two  years 
apfo,  that  he  knew  nothinfr  abf)ut  it,  and  could  form  no  ronjectiire  satis- 
factory to  himself.  In  his  report  of  1814,  which  accompanied  his  Tariff 
bill,  we  find  this  frank  crmfession  ;  '  It  may  bo  expected  of  the  Committee 
that  tl'.ey  will  make  an  estimate  of  the  revenue  to  be  realized  nnder  the 
rates  <r  'Ictv  they  proposed  to  establish  ;  bin.  they  feel  themselves  -vholly 
incoi^oiHeii^  1 1  do  so,  to  any  useful  purpose.'  i!e  then  (roes  on  to  say, 
tha'  fi!'  ■  .  uMilations  which  have  lieen  made  by  the  different  Secretaries 
ofr  '• ':  rfcjur  are  mere  vaciic  conjectures,  not  to  be  relied  upon.  This 
waa  tiiu  ;,  'Si^  >i.  if  that  Committee  at  that  time,  and  I  will  venture  to  say 
that  the  Ci  ;',.t,'  ■  will  not  impart  any  more  information  at  this  day. 

"  Can  he  j/ive  us  any  assurance  that  his  bill  will  yield  even  $20,000,000 
of  revenue  1  He  cannot.  I  am  aware  of  the  difficulty  of  making  any 
thing  like  an  accurate  estimate  .)n  this  subject ;  but  from  the  vast  infor- 
mation T  can  obtjiin.  I  !'i  not  believe  that  the  Committee's  bill,  without 
tea  and  coffee,  will  yield  more  than  $20,000,000  at  farthest,  and  with  tea 
and  coffee  not  more  than  aliout  $21,000,000  of  not  revenue.  We  are 
then  called  upon,  for  the  purpose  of  increasinc  the  re"'-''iie,  to  try  an  ex- 
periment, on  the  success  of  which  the  Committee  themselves  dare  not 
."n  liazard  a  conjecture.  We  know  the  operation  of  the  present  law. 
\'\  e  iiave  seen  that  it  will  yield  from  (5(2fi.OOO,000  to  28,000,000  of  net 
.'f  .'ue:  am' .itill  we  arc  asked  to  give  up  this  certainty  for  an  uncer- 
tuinfy,  or  raiher  a  certainty  of  success  for  a  certainty  of  defeat. 

"  But  we  are  told  that  we  must  adopt  the  rrrenup  standard  and  bring 
all  duties  down  to  the  rptvnur  rates.  Sir,  before  examining  this  boasted 
revenue  standard,  I  cannot  forbear  remarking  i!p<in  the  peculiarity  of  this 
language,  or  rather  the  great  stress  which  is  laid  upon  it.    We  hear  of 


''Asl»Kii  I.IJJUAHY, 

Oi-a,,.)  Mai-cli  l.lftti^l, 

l'«Nf.»  Apr.  3».i  lii.-;7. 


mm 


324 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


C(jntinuecl  .nh  more  confidence  and  success  upon 
the  ]niH  of    t  nds  of  unrestricted  commercial 

relations,  and  v.     >  doubt  and  misgivangs  by  the 

rewnue,  rerenue,  revenue,  as  if  the  great  end  for  which  the  Government 
waB  inxtitiited  vim  to  fill  its  own  coffers.  From  language  which  gentle- 
n'pn  employ,  we  should  think  that  the  Government  had  an  interest  distinct 
from  the  people,  and  that  the  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the 
end,  the  object  and  the  aim  of  all  legislation  was  to  collect  money  for  the 
Government  to  expend.  Our  fathers  maintained  that  Government  was 
instituted  for  the  good  of  the  people ;  but  this  old-fashioned  maxim  seems 
to  Ix!  inverted,  and  the  policy  now  is,  if  I  mist-'ke  not  the  signs  of  the 
times,  to  'aok  at  the  wants  of  the  Government  alone.  But,  Sir,  I  repu- 
diate this  new  doctrine.  It  is  monarchical  in  its  character ;  it  is  the  essence 
of  despotism.  The  interests  of  the  people  should  b*  the  great  object  in 
view,  and  the  interests  of  the  Government,  when  it  comes  in  competition 
with  the  in\  'rests  of  the  people,  should  not  stand  for  a  moment." — Speech 
of  Mr.  Hudfon  of  Mptsachusells,  Jum  24/A,  1846. 

"  I  have  already  stated  that  the  general  principles  of  this  bill  are 
novel  and  dangerous  in  their  consequences.  They  are  the  principles  of 
free  trade,  with  the  exclusion  of  all  discrimination,  as  incidental  to  reve- 
nue, to  favor  the  productions  or  industry  of  the  country.  And  in  connec- 
tion with  these,  is  the  principle  of  ad  valorem  duties,  never  before  intro- 
duce<J  as  a  general  rule  of  assessing  duties.  These  principles  are  laid 
down  and  attempted  to  be  defended  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  in 
his  Financial  Report,  at  the  commencement  of  the  session.  The  Secre- 
tary comes  for\vard  with  a  new  theory,  which,  it  is  said  in  a  certain  quar- 
ter, none  of  his  predecessors  ever  had  courage  to  advance.  It  is  certainly 
true,  that  none  of  those  who  have  preceded  him  ever  advocated  such  a 
theory ;  but  whether  for  want  of  courage,  or  want  of  confidence  in  its 
principles,  cannot  be  very  doubtful.  Neither  Mr.  Gallatin,  Mr.  Dallas, 
Mr.  Crawford,  Mr.  Ingram,  or  Mr.  Woodbury,  nor  any  other  democratic 
Secretary,  ever  advocated  or  gave  countenance  to  such  doctrines. 

"  This  report,  in  imitation  of  the  ancient  and  long  since  exploded  phi- 
losophy, lays  dov/n  certain  abstract  principles,  or  categories,  which  are  to 
control  and  regiilate  the  entire  revenue  and  tariff  system.  The  first  prin- 
ciple is,  that  no  more  revenue  should  be  raised  than  is  necessary  to  an 
economical  administration  of  the  Government.  To  this  rule  all  will  pro- 
bably assent.  The  second  principle  is,  that  in  all  cases  the  lowest  rate  of 
duty  should  be  impopod  which  will  produce  the  largest  amount  of  revenue ; 
that  there  may  be  discriminations  below  this  rate  for  revenue,  and  for  spe- 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


325 


protectionists.  As  the  suTyect  is  comprehended  by 
the  peoj)le,  more  liberal  opinions  have  taken  posses- 
sion of  the  public  mind,  and  the  flood  of  light  which 

cial  reasons  dome  article  may  be  admitted  free  of  duty.  This  is  the  gov- 
erning principle  of  the  whole  system  ;  and  it  is  apparent  tliat  it  exciiulrs 
all  diHcriminatlon,  as  incident  to  revenue,  to  favor  the  products  of  the 
country,  or  the  labor  of  the  country,  or  to  countervail  the  Icfrislation  of 
other  countries.  You  are  only  to  discriminate  in  the  descending  scale, 
and  that  for  revenue  only.  The  maximum  rate  is  a  revenue  duty,  and  the 
lowest  point  of  revenue  duty ;  and  to  discriminate  below  that,  certainly 
cannfrt  be  for  protection.  It  is  but  justice  to  the  Secretary  to  state,  that 
he  docs  not,  in  express  terms,  deny  that  there  ought  to  be  any  discrimina- 
tion for  protection ;  but  he  nowhere  asserts  that  there  should  be  :  and  his 
principles  certainly  entirely  exclude  all  discrimination  for  protection,  ns  inci- 
dental to  revenue.  To  discriminate  in  the  descending  scale,  from  the  lowest 
rate  which  will  produce  the  greatest  amount  of  revenue,  is  to  discriminate 
against  protection.  This  is  perfectly  clear :  for,  to  reduce  the  duty,  is  to 
favor  and  increase  importations  to  the  injury  of  home  productions.  The 
President,  if  I  mistake  not.  speaks  about  discriminations  within  the  revenue 
standnrrl.  But  what  is  the  revenue  standard  ?  Can  any  one  tell  ?  Is  it 
the  ridn  laid  down  by  the  Secretary — the  lowesi  rate  of  duty — which  will 
produce  the  greatest  amount  of  revenue?  If  this  is  the  revenue  stand- 
ard, then,  as  I  have  shown,  there  can  be  no  discrimination  for  protection 
within  the  revenue  standard,  as  you  can  only  discriminate  by  reducin?  the 
rat^-of  duty,  which  will  increase  importations  at  the  expense  of  home  pro- 
duction. The  true  revenue  standard  is  a  rate  of  duty  which  will  pr(Mlnce 
revenue,  and  a  reasonable  amount  of  revenue,  but  by  no  means  the  large.it 
amount  of  revenue,  as  that  would  he  to  favor  the  largest  amount  of  im- 
portations. If  there  is  any  general  principle  to  bo  adopted  in  arrnniring  a 
tariff  of  duties,  it  should  lx>  this,  to  ascertain  what  is  the  due  average  rate 
of  duty  rerpiired  to  produce  the  whole  revenue  demanded  for  an  econo- 
mical administration  of  the  fioveniment,  and  then  to  discriminate  above 
that  rate  for  protection,  r.nd  also  to  throw  a  heavier  tax  on  luxuries,  and 
below  it,  to  liirhten  the  burdens  of  taxation,  and  to  favor  articles  of  irpiieral 
or  universal  consumption.  Suppose  the  iivernire  rale  of  duty  for  revenue 
to  be  30  per  cent.,  which  is  said  to  be  the  case  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasurv  in  1846:  the  discriminations  for  protection  must  be  above  that 
rale,  except  in  respect  to  raw  ninterinls  onterinEr  into  the  elements  nf  ma- 
nufactured products,  and  the  discriminations  lielnvv  that  rate  are  for  reve. 
nue.  or  to  lighten  the  burdens  of  taxation.  TIkto  ar^-  two  rate-*  of  duties 
which  may  be  considered  as  protective — those  above  the  average  revenue 


326 


IIIHTOKY     OF     THE 


is  thrown  upon  it,  will  .soon  estiil»li.sli  upon  a  firm  and 
immovable  \>umh  tin;  doctrines^  of  free  trade. 

But  the  udv<x,'uteH  and  Ijeneficiaries  of  the  pro- 

Rtaiidard,  on  artidcH  itit/!rf<!ring  with  those  produced  in  the  conntry,  and 
those  ImjIow  the  average  rati;,  or  lulriiitted  without  duty  on  raw  materials. 
This  prcKcntH  tiie  matter  in  a  very  fitriplo  n{,'ht,  and  will  enable  us  to  de- 
cide on  the  true  chnR«:t<,'r  of  tUU  hill.  This  is  no  theory,  but  is  simply 
taking  the  facts  of  tlie  cumt  tut  the  only  safe  basis  for  arranging  a  system  of 
revenue  duties  witli  incidental  protection.  But  in  regard  to  abstract  theo- 
ries, whether  of  free  iraile  or  protection,  not  originating  in  the  facts  of  the 
case,  not  having  their  wjurce  in  the  actual  condition  of  the  country,  they 
are  not  only  idle  and  profitli,>sM  sfteculotions,  but  mischievous  and  danger- 
ous. Sir,  I  hold  all  hui'Ii  theories  in  utter  contempt,  as  beneath  the  re- 
gard of  stL^^'sinen,  and  Mibvernivu  of  ».ll  sound  legislation.  There  are  no 
theories,  no  general  princii.'ex  on  this  subject,  possessing  tlie  authority  of 
universal  truth,  or  universal  application.  A  system  of  revenue,  whether 
on  free  trade  principles  or  protective  principles,  may  be  suitable  and  pro- 
per for  one  country,  and  very  unsuitable  for  another.  Every  country 
should  form  and  adopt  a  reverme  system  adapted  to  the  condition,  pur:  uits, 
and  interests  of  its  own  pi.-oplc.  To  adopt  a  system  resting  on  any  other 
basis,  or  any  abstract  theory,  la  to  disregard  entirely  the  interests  of  the 
country,  and  to  cx|kim,'  them  to  be  sacrificed.  It  is  to  sport  with  the 
rights,  the  interests,  and  lalxir  of  the  people.  This  sport,  like  the  fable 
of  the  boys  and  the  frogs,  imiy  I*  very  agreeable  to  speculative  theorists 
and  speculative  [K^liticians,  but  it  may  be  death  to  the  people  whose  inte- 
rests and  employments  arc  crushed  by  it.  Revenue  laws  should  be 
adopted  like  all  other  lawn,  not  in  pursuance  of  a  theory,  but  by  carefully 
examining  the  (actti  in  cv(;ry  piirticular  case  of  duty  imposed,  and  perceiv- 
ing, so  far  as  human  sagacity  can  do  it,  aided  by  experience,  what  is  to  be 
the  practical  oj)eration  of  the  law,  what  are  to  be  its  eft'ects  and  conse- 
quences, not  only  directly,  but  collaterally  and  indirectly." — Speech  of 
Mr.  jS'iles  in  tlv.  Sniali;  July 'iO,  1846.  Appendix  to  the  Congressional 
Globe,  1st  sessiim  'i'.ith  (Jonffremi,  p.  882. 

"  Mr.  President,  it  appr^arx  strange,  but  after  all,  we  must  admit  the 
fact,  that  the  apfK-araiia;  of  this  bill  in  the  Senate,  with  a  prospect  of  its 
jmssage,  has  struck  the  wiiintry  suddenly  and  with  surprise.  It  has 
brought  HlK)Ut  no  Kiiiall  lU'jrrnn  of  alarm.  The  public  expectation  was  not 
prepared  for  it.  I  do  niil  say  that  there  had  not  Ijcen  enoiigh  of  previous 
admonition,  or  indicalion  I  s^K-ak  of  the  fact,  and  I  think  it  must  \k  the 
conviction  of  every  tiw  lliat  hears  me,  who  has  observed  tlie  development 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


327 


tcjdWe  system  are  mai-shalling  their  forces,  prepar- 
atorj'  to  an  assault  upon  the  tariff  of  1846.  They 
fentf;rtain  the  hope,  by  a  combination  of  those  in- 

of  pnWic  xcntiment  since  the  appearance  of  this  measure,  that  the  country 
i«  tmrfmaed,  );^catly  surprised,  at  any  probability  that  it  should  receive  the 
final  wnrtion  of  Congress  and  the  President.  Now,  sir,  it  seems  to  me, 
liiHt  in  f  hi*  state  of  things,  with  such  a  measure  before  us,  at  this  advanced 
ntauum  of  the  year,  when  there  is  no  pressing  necessity  for  immediate 
aetifm,  the  true  pohcy  is  to  postpone  its  further  consideration.  If  this 
wftre  a  measure  to  raise  money  to  carry  on  a  war,  if  it  were  a  measure  of 
taxation,  for  the  contraction  of  loans,  of  the  issue  of  treasury  notes,  or  any 
eUw.T  measnrc  which  had  for  its  object  the  supply  of  means  to  meet  ncces- 
mtifiH  of  (iovemment,  why  then  the  exigencies  of  the  case  might  be  a  very 
JMt  motive  for  proceeding  to  its  immediate  consideration.  But  there  is 
w>  man  within  the  hearing  of  my  voice,  and  I  am  happy  tliat  there  are 
Mim«  within  its  hearing  who  are  not  of  this  chamber,  [referring  to  Mr. 
Hfxtirtury  VVai'Kcr,  who  was  present,  occupying  the  seat  of  one  of  the 
df!rnf)r.rat\c  Senators,]  who  will  say,  that  the  treasury  will  not  be  as  com- 
jwrf/mt,  the  ability  of  the  Government  as  great,  its  arm  as  well  nerved  to 
pfwecntf;  the  war  in  which  we  are  engaged  tliree  months  longer  if  this 
bill  should  not  pass,  as  if  it  should.  Therefore,  it  seems  to  rne  to  be  a  case 
ftrr  fnrthcr  consideration  ;  and,  at  the  close  of  the  remarks  which  I  pro- 
pose U>  .inbrnit  to  the  Senate,  I  shall  move  the  postponement  of  this  mea- 
fore  till  next  session  of  Congress." — Speech  (f  Mr.  Webster  of  Massa- 
fihmfllH  in  the  Senate,  July  25  and  27,  18-lG.  Appendix  to  the  Congres- 
lumnl  (ilol»:,  \st  session  29/A  Congress,  p.  1139. 

**  But  the  tariff  of  1842  is  to  be  overtlirown.  The  fierce  and  bitter 
d^mnnciations — the  outpouring  of  all  sorts  of  opprobrious  epithets  directed 
a^niimt  the  existing  law,  proclaim  the  purposes  o!'  its  opponents.  Weil, 
why  is  it  to  be  overthrown  ?  This  is  a  question  surely  worth  a  moment's 
t/*Mii<^ration,  Has  the  tariff  of  1842  accomplished  tliiit  which  its  friends 
»nA  advf)catcs  and  supporters  promised  it  would  accomplish  ?  Has  it  failed 
in  th«  fulfilment  of  any  single  object  which  it  was  designed  to  gain  ?  Has 
It  yi*"l(lcd  an  adequate  revenue  ?  Has  it  restored  public  credit  and  public 
<w/nfklencc  ?  All  this  we  promised.  All  this  we  pledged  ourselves  to 
achieve.  And  how  were  our  promises  and  pledges  met  ?  Wliy,  gentle- 
iwm  vy-n  on  the  other  side — and  I  see  many  of  them  still  here — ridiculed 
oor  profcisions  and  promises.  They  predicted  a  great  decline  in  the 
imrCTi'ie.  Tliey  predicted  destruction  to  our  commercial  interests.  They 
predicted  all  manner  of  evil.    It  was  maintained  that  wc  would  not  be  able 


asi»i:h  i.umAiiv 


328 


HISTORY     OF     TTIE 


terested  in  the  re-establishment  of  that  system,  that 
their  designs  can  be  accomplished. 

Single-handed  they  are  unable  to  cope  with  the 

to  obtain  the  loans  necessary  to  carry  on  the  Government — for  the  trea- 
sury was  then  so  impoverished  tiiat  the  Government  was  under  the  neces- 
sity of  borrowing  twelve  or  fifteen  millions — and  I  recollect,  that  one  gen- 
tleman contended  very  zealously  that  we  should  be  obliged  to  give  $100 
in  scrip  for  $90  in  cash.  Well,  we  passed  the  law  authorizing  the  loan, 
and  not  a  dollar  could  we  got  at  any  rate,  till  this  revenue  bill  was  passed. 
Then,  sir,  money  enough  could  be  obtiiined,  and  at  a  lower  rate  of  inte- 
rest than  that  authorized  to  be  paid.  The  public  credit  advanced  at  once, 
and  continued  to  advance  until  the  stocks  of  the  United  States  reached,  I 
think,  a  maximum  of  about  116  or  116,  and  at  that  sold  rapidly  after  the 
enactment  of  this  law,  because  every  body  saw  that  we  had  a  system 
which  would  enable  us  to  carry  on  the  Government,  to  pay  the  interest 
punctually,  and  the  principal  when  it  became  due.  Look,  then,  at  the 
working  of  the  act  of  1842.  It  did  not  go  fairly  into  operation  for  several 
months  after  it  was  enacted.  It  can  hardly  be  said  that  it  was  fairly  in 
operation  till  the  succeeding  spring — the  spring  of  1843.  About  that 
time  we  changed  the  commencement  of  the  fiscal  year,  so  that  our  fiscal 
year  now  ends  on  the  30th  of  June.  Take,  then,  the  first  whole  fiscal 
year  under  the  act  of  1842,  and  ya  will  find  that  it  yielded  us  (after  pay- 
ing all  the  expenses  of  collection,  drawback,  and  every  thing  else,  of 
which  I  shall  speak  by-and-by)  twenty-five  and  three-quarter  millions. 
That  was  the  result  of  the  first  year.  In  the  second  year,  1 845,  the 
amount  was  twenty-six  and  three-quarters,  almost,  showing  an  increase 
of  about  a  million.  In  the  third  year,  just  ended,  June  1846,  the  not 
amount  wu.s  $26,31 1,864,  according  to  the  best  computation  I  could  make, 
for  the  statements  are  quite  contradictorj'.  By  the  papers  received  this 
morning  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  the  amount  is  set  down  at 
$26,681,91.5.  Thus  is  shown  a  constant  increase,  but  an  increase  marked 
by  an  extraordinary  uniformity.  Here  are  three  successive  years  in  which 
the  amount  received  into  the  treasury  scarcely  varies — nothing  percep- 
tible. There  are  no  such  other  three  years  to  be  found  in  our  history,  or 
any  thing  approaching  to  them.  Well,  now,  is  not  this  a  most  extraordi- 
nary illustration  of  the  character  and  working  of  our  tariff?  Search  our 
statute-books  from  beginning  to  end,  and  you  look  in  vain  for  any  other 
law  whose  operation  has  been  so  uniform — so  steady.  During  these  three 
years  we  have  had  none  of  those  fluctuations,  which  result  from  excessive 
importations — one  y  '■ar  diminished  importations  next  year  excessive  im- 
portations— embarrassing  the  whole  business  of  the  country,  and  of  course 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


329 


farming  and  commercial  interests.  But  by  arraying 
the  cotton  manufacturer,  the  iron  master,  the  sugar 
planter,  the  salt  manufacturer,  and  all  other  branches 
of  "  home  industry,"  they  have  every  confidence  in 
their  ability  to  impose  burdens  upon  agriculture  and 
commerce  for  their  benefit. 

Any  one  at  all  convci-sant  with  the  influences 
brought  to  bear  at  Washington,  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  a  favorite  object,  can  at  once  discover 
the  difficulties  which  the  advocates  of  free  trade 
have  to  encounter.  If  the  Representative  from  an 
ii'on  district  can  procure  the  establishment  of  spe- 
cific duties,  he  will  gratify  the  member  who  repre- 
sents a  cotton  manufacturing  district,  by  voting  to 
insert  minimum  duties,  and  by  this  (juiet  under- 
standing they  succeed  in  fastening  the  system  ujion 
the  country.  Scruples  they  have  none  at  the  pal- 
pable injustice  inflicted  upon  the  other  great  inter- 
ests of  the  country,  provided  they  can  put  money 
in  their  pockets.  What  is  there  about  a  cotton 
mill  or  an  iron  foundry  which  entitles  the  owner 
thereof  to  demand  that  money  should  be  taken 
out  of  the  pockets  of  others  to  be  put  into  his 
own? 

Why  should  the  farmer,  by  far  the  largest  class 
of  our  citizens,  and  at  least  as  worthy,  be  forced  to 
purchase   of  the   American  manufacturer   articles 


embnrrapsinp;  the  financial  affairs  of  the  Govpmmen'  Sir,  I  repeat  it,  fhero 
is  nofhinir  to  be  found  in  our  history  presentini;  any  parallel  to  these  three 
years. — Speech  of  Mr.  Evans  in  the  Sennle,  Juhj  14,  1846.  Congressional 
Olobe,  1st  session  29lh  Congress,  pp.  1090  and  91. 

_    -"    Oi-nnH  Marck  Ll^jfr  I 
riisfii  Apr.  i^»»^  IRt' 


330 


II I  8  T  O  n  Y     OF     THE 


which  he  can  ol>taiu  at  lower  prices  of  the  for- 
eigner {     What  does  he  gain  by  the  operation  ? 

I  will  fairly  put  the  arguments  of  the  friends  of 
the  protective  system.  First,  they  say  that  ulti- 
mately i)r()tection  will  enable  them  to  sell  goods  as 
cheaj*  as  they  would  be  if  the  foreigner  had  com- 
mand of  the  market.  If  this  assumjition  were  true, 
it  would  be  no  reason,  as  I  shall  hereafter  prove, 
why  bounties  should  be  paid  by  consumers  to  the 
domestic  manufacturer. 

But  assuming,  for  the  sake  of  illustration,  that 
this  assum|)tiuu  is  correct,  and  that  iron,  sugar,  salt, 
cotton  goods,  silks,  tfec,  can  be  manufactured  here 
as  cheap  as  foreigners  can  land  them  at  our  wharves ; 
unless  some  one  would  generously  step  forward  and 
gratuitously  pay  the  tariff  on  the  foreign  fabric,  it 
would  be  excluded — no  revenue  would  accrue  there- 
from, and  direct  taxation  would  be  the  result.  But 
these  promises  to  consent  to  a  reduction  of  the 
tai'iff  to  a  revenue  standard  after  a  few  years'  pro- 
tection, have  been  repeatedly  violated.  A  few  years 
of  jn'otection  only  was  asked  for  in  1816,  1824,  and 
1828.  Similar  pledges  were  made  in  1833,  by  Mr. 
Clay,  the  father  of  the  protective  system.*  The 
compromise  act  was  introduced  by  that  distin- 
guished Senator,  to  give  to  the  protected  classes  a 
gi-aduating  scale  of  duties,  instead  of  an  immediate 
resoi't  to  the  revenue  standard.f  That  motive  he  dis- 

*  "  Now  gi  e  us  time ;  cease  all  fluctuation  and  agitations  for  nine 
years,  and  tlio  manufiict\irers  in  every  branch  will  sustain  themselves 
against  foreign  competition." — Sj)eech  of  Mr.  Clay  upon  introducing  the 
Coniprnmisf  Act,  1833. 

f  "  I  am  compelled  to  express  the  opinion,  formed  after  the  most  de- 


: 


^H 


POLK     ADM1NI8TKATI0N. 


331 


tinctly  avowed,  and  the  solemn  pledge  was  made, 
that  if  the  c()mj)romise  bill  should  become  a  law, 
no  American  statesman  would  ever  disturl)  that 
treaty  of  peace  and  amity.*  On  the  3f)th  of  June, 
184l*,  the  opponents  of  the  protective  system,  by 
the  terms  of  the  compromise  act,  were  to  he  re- 
lieved from  the  l>urdens  of  that  policy.  The 
shackles  were  to  be  taken  from  trade,  a  revenue 
standard  was  to  be  estal)lished,  and  opjii-essive 
burdens  wei-e  no  longer  to  l)e  imposed.  But  favors 
long  enjoyed,  were  not  thus  to  be  surrendered.  The 
privileged  classes  again  i-allied  to  procure  an  exten- 
sion of  those  benefits  which  Avere  too  delightful 
to  be  yielded,  and  honor  and  good  faith  could  not 
resist  the  demands  of  interest  for  two  njonths.  The 
tariff  of  1842  was  passed,  and  the  princi[)les  of  the 
compromise  ac+  Avero  violated.f    There  was  no  ex- 


libernte  reflection,  and  on  full  survey  of  tlie  wliole  country,  tlmt,  whether 
rightfully  or  wrongfully,  the  tiiriff  stands  in  imminent  diuiger.  If  it 
should  be  preserved  dunng  this  session,  it  must  fall  at  the  next  session." 

"  r  am  anxious  to  find  out  some  principle  of  mutual  accommodation, 
to  satisfy,  as  far  as  practicable,  both  parties ;  to  Increase  the  stability  of 
our  legislation ;  and,  at  some  distant  day — but  not  too  distant,  when  we 
take  into  view  the  magnitude  of  the  interests  which  are  involved — to  bring 
down  the  rate  of  duties  to  that  revenue  standard  for  which  our  opponents 
have  so  long  contended." — Ibitl. 

*  '•  But  if  the  measure  should  be  carried  by  the  common  consent  of 
both  parties,  we  shall  have  all  security  ;  history  will  faithfully  record  the 
transaction ;  narrate  under  what  circumstances  the  bill  was  passed  ;  that 
it  was  a  pacifying  measure ;  that  it  was  oil  poured  from  the  vessel  of  the 
Union  to  restore  peace  and  harmony  to  the  country.  When  all  this  was 
known,  what  Congress,  what  Legislature  would  mar  the  guarantee  ? 
What  man  who  is  entitled  to  deserve  the  character  of  an  Auierican  states- 
man would  stand  up  in  his  place  in  either  House  of  Congress,  and  dis- 
turl) the  treaty  of  peace  and  amity  ?" — lliU. 

f  "  The  present  tariff  law  is  sufficiently  discriminating ;  holds  to  com- 


**^| 


'   '1 


332 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


cuse  for  tlie  passage  of  the  tariff  of  184*2.  The 
embarrassmentH  Avliich  pervaded  the  country  Wi'vn 
not  attribiitalde  to  the  oj)eration3  of  the  coiujtro- 
mise  act.*  But  it  Is  innisted  tliat  the  price.s  of 
manufactuj  ed  articles  have  fallen  since  the  year 
1810.  I  'admit  it.  liut  prices  have  fallen,  not  only 
here,  hr.t  throughout  tlie  world.  Mechanical  skill 
has  made  wonderful  improvements  in  machinery, 
which  has  heen  substituted  for  hand  labor.  Tliis 
has  undoubtedly  contributed  more  than  any  other 
event  to  reduce  the  price  of  goods.  The  farmer 
boy  hesitates  to  cultivate  the  flax,  which,  when 
manufactured  by  his  mother's  hand,  is  to  be- 
come his  raiment ;  the  busy  hum  of  the  wheel, 
which  we  listened  to  in  our  childhood,'  is  huslied ; 
the  sound  of  tlie  blacksmith's  hannner  is  seldom 
heard  moulding  his  nail  from  the  hissing  ii'on ;  and 
in  their  stead  we  hear  the  confusing  sounds  of  the 
loom,  as  its  complicated  machinery,  almost  without 
the  aid  of  human  })eings,  unfolds  to  view  the  curi- 
ous specimens  of  its  skill,  Avhile  the  steady  and  un- 

mon  sense,  and  rejects  the  principles  of  the  Compromise  act,  T  hope  for 
ever." — Mr.  Webster's  Speech  at  Fanned  Hall,  September,  1842.  Sai'mnal 
Iiitelligencer,  October  4,  1842. 

*  "  With  repard  to  the  operation  of  this  act,  (the  Compromise  Act.) 
it  is  a  f^ri'at  tnislake  to  saij  that  any  portion  of  the  emharrassinents  of  the 
coiititnj  hare  resulted  from  U.  Other  causes  have  contributed  to  this 
result;  and  it  is  to  bo  attributed  to  the  e,\periments  which  liavc  been 
made  upon  tlie  currency.  The  embarrassments  are  also  to  be  attributed 
to  the  action  of  the  States,  which,  by  plunginfj  into  schemes  of  internal 
improvement,  have  contracted  debts  abroad,  and  thereby  given  n  false  and 
fictitious  appearance  to  the  prosperity  of  the  conntry  j  and  when  their 
bonds  depreciated,  the  evils  under  which  they  now  sufter,  as  a  conse- 
quence, ensued." — Speech  of  Mr.  Clay  in  the  Senate,  February  ISlh, 
1842. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


333 


c<'.'Lxiii<^  fall  of  t\u'  \v<'ll-fiiHlii(>ne(l  nail,  as  it  dropH 
frt»m  tilt;  mill,  prodaiiiis  the  substitution  of  arti- 
ficial foi*  riattinil  jtowtir. 

'J'lif  low  \mvA'.  of  th«i  raw  material,  and  of  food, 
as  oiii'  vast  forests  disappear  before  the  woodman's 
axe,  and  broad  acres  yield  their  harvest  as  a  J'eward 
for  toil,  is  by  no  means  uii  unimportant  cause  of  the 
fall  in  i)riee  of  manufactured  goods  Avitliin  the  last 
wenty  yeaix.  Notwithstanding  all  these  elements 
aid  the  manufactun'r,  in  fulfilling  his  pron/ises  to 
reduce  the  jirice  of  manufactured  articles  upon  the 
estal)lis]iment  of  protective  duties,  we  find,  on  the 
conti'ary,  that  many  necessaries  of  life,  which  were 
protect«;d  by  tlie  tariff  of  1842,  increjised  in  price 
aftei-  the  j)aHsage  of  that  act.  Another  favorite  ar- 
gument used  is  the  following.  They  a.ssert,  that  if 
prices  are  increased  l»y  the  ])assage  of  a  protective, 
tariff,  still,  }»y  extending  to  the  farmer  a  honi'i 
market,  they  grant  him  an  equivalent.  There  is 
Bome  i)lausibility  and  much  sophistry  in  this  argu- 
ment. Its  imiMH-tance  is  conseciueutly  the  theme  of 
tlieir  praise,  until  the  foreign  market,  commerce  and 
every  thing  else,  dwindles  into  insignificance.  But 
how  can  a  home  mai'ket  Ite  obtained  for  the  vast 
pro<lui-e  of  this  country?  Cast  the  mind  over  oui" 
t(*rntorial  limits,  commencing  upon  the  eastern  Iwr- 
der,  running  along  the  line  dividing  this  country 
from  the  jKHsessions  of  England,  to  the  Pacific, 
thence  along  th<;  new  boundary  between  this  lle- 
pu})lic  and  .Mexico,  around  the  Gulf  and  along  the 
Atlantic  (roast  to  the  beginning.  Within  this  line 
is  inclosed  an  (;mj)ire  with  more  resources  than  any 


334 


IIISTOIY     OF     THE 


otluT  Oil  the  eiirth,  and  with  a  hardy,  honest  and 
iii(liistri')us  j)e()i)le  to  devc'l()i)e  tlieiii.  Even  east  of 
the  Allcylianies  and  west  of  the  llocky  Mountains, 
the  soil  and  climate  would  satisfy  the  most  fastidi- 
ous, liut  when  the  mind  attempts  to  take  in  the 
valley  of  the  Misssissippi,  with  its  water  powei',  its 
va.>*t  and  fertile  plains,  its  acres  of  rich  and  virgin 
soil — the  myriads  of  human  heins:^  who  are  destined 
to  develop*^  its  vast  resources — the  amount  of  pro- 
duce which  will  float  down  the  h.tlu  r  of  watei"s, 
seeking  a  mnrket  throughout  the  uorhl;  when  we 
contein[)late  all  this,  emotions  of  contempt  arise  in 
our  minds  at  the  idea  of  crowding  the  agricultui-al 
pnxhicts  of  .y?/<?/i  a  ct)untry  ujjon  a  home  market ! 
and  of  confining  its  •'^sources  within  its  own  bor- 
ders * 

*  Acci;.  ^.i,f(  to  the  rpports  of  Mr.  Ellsworth,  the  following  is  the  amount 
of  wlieat  and  Indian  com  raised  in  the  United  States  in  1842,  '43,  '44,  viz  : 


Viari. 

1842, 
1843, 
1844, 


Number  of  Busheln. 


Whrat. 

102.317.340 

100.310.850 

95,607,000 


Indian  Corn. 
441.829,246 
494,618,306 
421.9.53.000 


298.235,190      1,358,400,552 


Hy  an  examination  of  the  report  of  the  late  Commissioner  of  Pa- 
tent«,  tlip  Iliinoraljli,  Edmimd  Bnrkc,  made  February  24,  1846,  it  appears 
that  tliere  was  raised  in  this  country  in  1845 — 

Of  wheat, 106,548,000  bushels. 

Of  com, 417,899,000       " 


Quantily  of  the  different  grain*  produced  in  the  United  Slates  in  1847. 
The  fniinwinjr  is  the  nmount  of  the  different  kinds  of  prain  produced 
in  the  United  States  in  1847,  acrordinf:  to  flic  estimate  contained  in  the 
table  preceding  the  agricultural  report  of  tJiis  office  for  the  present  year, 
viz : 


^■i 


POLK     AB  MINISTRATION.  335 

The  natural  and  inevitable  effect  of  cstal  dishing 
the  protective  policy,  is  to  prothice  restrictions  upon 
commercial  intercourse   with  foreign  i)o\\(U's.     It 

Breadituffs.  Bushels.     Total  Bushels. 

Indian  corn  or  maize,       ....        539,350,000 

Wheat 114,245,500 

Rye, 29,i'-^'l,700 

Buckwheat, 11,673,500 

694,491,700 

Grain  not  used  for  Breadstuffs. 

Oats, 167,867,000 

Barley, 5,649,950 

173.516,950 

Total S68,008,6JO 

Other  articles  of  Food, 

Potatoes, 100,950,000  bushels. 

Beans  and  Peas 60,000,000       " 

Rice, 103,640,590  pounds. 

Estimated  population,  20,746,400. 

Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Patents,  January,  1848. 
We  now  deduct  the  consimiption  of  the  country  from  the  aggregate 
quantity  of  grain  produced,  and  thus  exhibit  the  surp'u.»cs  remaining  on 
hand  for  exportation : 

Surplus  for  Exportation, 
Wheat.  Bushels.  Bushels. 

Quantity  produced  in  1847,     .        .        114.24,'),500 

"        used  for  seed,    .         .        .       11,424,550 
"         consumed,        .         .         .  62,239.200 

73,663,750        40,581,750 

Indian  Corn,  or  Maize.  , 

Quantity  produced  in  1847,         .        .    5.39,3.50,000  ^ 

"         used  ff)r  seed,  .        .  6,000,(M)0 

"        consumed  by  men,        .         .     103,732,000 
"        consumed  by  animals,        .         230,963,(196 
"        used  for  distilling  and  other  pur- 
poses, .        .        .      25.000.()()() 

3(i5,695.096       173.654,904 


336 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


cannot  he  supposed  that  we  can  exclude  foreign  im- 
portations with  impunity.  By  no  means.  As  a 
retaliatory  measure  they  Avill  prohil)it  the  introduc- 
tion of  our  surplus  produce.  And  can  it  }»e  sup- 
posed that  to  enable  a  few  interested  manufacturers 
to  make  ten,  fifteen,  or  twenty  per  cent,  ujjon  the 
capital  invested,  when  the  farmer  does  not  make 
more  than  from  three  to  six,  that  we  are  to  resort 
again  to  the  protective  policy  i  Wliat  are  we  to 
gain  by  trading  with  each  other  ?  Let  us  illustrate 
this  policy.     Sui)pose  the  LState  of  New- York  should 


Eye 
Quantity  produced '.  1847,    . 

Surjilut  for  Exportation 
Bunheli.               Buiheli. 
29,222,700 

"        used  for  seed, 

"        consumption  estimated,     . 

"        used  for  distilling,  &.C., 

3,652,687 
10,373,200 
10,000,000 

Buckwheat. 
Quantity  produced  in  1847,     . 

"        used  for  seed, 
"        consumed. 

J4,326,787 

ll,6-(\600 

723,3-,' 3 
6,000,000 

6,296,913 

6,723,343 
countrioH,    . 

4,950,935 

Total  surplus  for  exportation  to  foreign 

224,384,502 

The  sntiie  aullinrity  estimates  the  number  of  swine  in  the  United 
Slates  at  35,000.000,  and  the  number  of  sheep  at  25,000,000. 

"  The  quantity  of  wheat  raised  in  the  United  States  during  the  last 
year  will,  iiccnrdlng  to  the  estimates  of  this  office,  not  be  loss  than  126,- 
000,000  III,  hi'is.  The  (juantity  of  com  produced  is  estimated  to  lie  about 
688,000,000  l)iii<lipls ;  oats,  185,000,000  bushels;  potatoes,  114,000,000 
bushels  ;  ryu,  :«,U00,000  bu.4iels ;  buckwheat,  12,500,000  bushels  ;  liiirley, 
6,222,000  bushels ;  hay,  15,735,000  tons;  lumip,  20,3')0  tons;  cotton, 
1,066.000.000  pounds;  tobacco,  iil9,000,000  pounds;  rice,  119,000,000 
pounds ;  and  sugar,  (in  Louisiana,)  200,000,000  pounds." — Ihid. 


;a* 


n'i^»'w\fiii  Mj/tffftf,,  I  u|i^  11. .lyiijii.  jMiijii. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


337 


enact  a  law,  the  effect  of  which  would  })e  to  j)revent 
our  citizens  from  })Ui'chasing  any  article  whatever 
without  the  limits  of  this  State,  or  selling  any  arti- 
cle to  be  taken  therefrom,  and  the  Legiahvture  should 
assign  as  a  retuson,  that  our  citizens  would  Ije- 
come  prosperous,  ha[)i)y,  and  lich,  hy  trading  with 
each  other.  Again :  suppose  an  old  patriarch,  the 
father  of  many  children,  should  collect  them  to- 
gether for  the  purpose  of  giving  them  advice.  He 
informs  them  that  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  is  the 
natural  occupation  of  man;  but  that  they  would 
become  more  independent  and  happy,  if  a  portion 
of  them  would  turn  their  attention  to  manufactur- 
ing; thus  furnishing  to  the  rest  a  home  market. 
The  objection  is  urged,  that  they  prefer  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  soil  to  the  heated  and  unwholesome  at- 
mosphere of  a  factory  or  workshop ;  and  that  their 
neighboi-s  are  already  engaged  in  that  ])usinesa,  af- 
fording them  an  opportunity  of  exchanging  their 
surplus  produce  fijr  manufactured  goods.  But  the 
patriarch  insists,  that  although  for  a  period  the  tax 
would  be  somev/hat  burdensome  to  those  who  con- 
tinued the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  yet  the  result 
would  be  independence,  prosjjerity,  and  a  home 
market,  all  flowing  from  this  trade  w  ith  each  other. 
How  absurd  would  such  a  policy  I>e  thought,  if 
adopted  by  a  State  or  a  head  of  a  family ;  and  it  Ls 
equally  preposterous  when  attempted  by  a  great 
nation  like  this.  A  farmei'  may  wish  to  purchase 
in  the  city  of  New-Y(»rk  goods  manufactured  in 
Europe ;  why  should  the  Government  prtiVent  him, 
by  assigning  as  a  reason,  that  in  frustrating  his 
22 


TA.SPKR   T.I  Jill  A  U^ 


^m^^f^^am 


338 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


wishes  in  tins  particular,  mannfactures  will  spnng 
11]),  arul  after  a  lapse  of  yea-'s  he  can  purchase  simi- 
lar ai'ticles  in  this  country.  Why  should  the  Gov- 
ernment force  him  to  purchase  in  one  place,  when 
he  wishes  to  purchase  in  another?  Tliere  are  many 
considerations  >vhich  should  influence  us  in  esta))- 
lishing  the  doctrines  of  free  trade.  In  the  tii-st 
place,  it  j)roduces  dom</^'cic  tranfjuillity.  Tliere  is  no 
justice  in  the  protective  system,  and  it  will,  conse- 
qu(!ntly,  produce  dissatisfaction  and  discontent, 
"alienating  the  afl'ections  of  one  half  our  citizens 
from  the  Union.  Free  trade  will  induce  foreigners 
to  remove  restrictions  from  our  commerce.  It  will 
introduce  feelhigs  of  amity  and  friendship  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth.  It  will  disseminate  the 
principles  of  republicanism,  and  hasten  the  day 
when  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  will  be  preached  to 
the  nations  of  every  land. 

It  is  true  that  no  tariff  can  be  perfect,  and  there 
will  aiise  a  necessity  for  modilit  itions,  which  a  wise 
legislator  will  not  overlook,  lint  at  the  same  time  a 
regard  for  the  interests  of  the  u>hole  country  should 
be  observed,  No  legislation  for  the  privileged  few 
at  the  expense  of  the  many,  should  be  for  a  moment 
tolei'at(!d.  The  most  just  and  equitable  method  of 
raising  money  to  defray  the  exjjenses  of  the  (lenei-al 
Govemmeiit,  is  by  direct  taxation.  It  i<  by  this 
system  that  funds  are  raised  for  State  pui])oses.  A 
tax  is  levied  upon  the  property  which  an  individual 
may  possess.  lie  is  taxed  according  to  the  value 
of  his  estate.  By  this  system  of  assosing  taxes,  a 
person  Avitli  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  pays  for 


I 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


339 


the  support  of  the  Government  one  hundred  times 
more  than  the  man  whose  property  amounts  to  one 
thousand  dollars.  This  is  a  just  and  equitable  me- 
thod of  obtaining  money.  Raising  revenue  by  a 
tariff  is  no  less  a  system  of  taxation  than  the  other ; 
th<!  only  difference  is,  that  in  the  one  ca.se,  you  know 
the  time  you  are  called  upon  to  make  the  disburse- 
ment, and  the  exact  amount  you  pay,  Avhile  ))y  the 
other  plan,  it  is  taken  from  your  unconscious  pui-ses. 
The  importer  pays  the  tariff  upon  the  goods,  and 
adds  it  to  the  price  of  the  article,  and  the  consumer 
refunds  the  amount.  By  this  system  of  taxation, 
money  is  not  raised  upon  the  value  of  proj)ei'ty,  but 
nj)on  the  articles  of  foreign  importation,  which  the 
consumer  thereof  may  purchase.  It  can  readily  be 
observed,  that  the  poorest  cultivator  of  the  soil  may, 
by  this  indirect  system  of  taxation,  be  requir<^d  to 
contnbute  more  money  for  the  support  of  the  Gene- 
ral Government  than  the  riche'ft  banker  in  the  land. 
The  manifest  injustice  and  Inequality  of  this  system 
of  raising  money,  the  more  forcibly  r;ommends  to 
our  favor  the  one  adopted  by  the  Str,tes.  The  ob- 
ject should  be  to  raise  revenue  ;  and  as  taxes  in  any 
form  are  oppressive,  the  lowest  rate  w  hich  will  yield 
the  required  amount  should  be  adopted.  As  far  as 
practicable,  taxes  should  fall  upon  the  property  of 
the  country  ;  and  hence  the  importance  of  levj-ing 
tlie  highest  duties  upon  luxuries,  which  are  generally 
consumed  b;'  the  rich,  and  the  lowest  upon  those 
necessaries  which  the  poor  are  compelled  to  have. 
Suppose  from  the  tariff  upon  salt,  $1,000,000  is 
raised;  this  tax  is  collected  without  any  portion 


JASPKH  J.IJUIAIIV, 
Oi  ::aii'!  Marcli  1. 1(154 « 
i  list'?  A\n\  2 'it  lH:t7 


i^^ 


340 


IIISTOKY     OF     THE 


being  paid  by  the  domestic  manufacturer  of  that 
article,  for  the  reason  that  he  uses  his  own  salt. 
The  same  argument  will  apply  to  the  iron  master, 
the  cott<jn  manufacturer,  and  the  grower  of  sugar 
cane.  It  in  but  just,  then,  that  upon  the  luxuries 
which  they  do  [jurchase,  a  high  tariff  should  be 
levied,  that  they  may  pay  their  proportion  of  the 
taxes  of  the  country.  But  it  is  insisted  that  specific 
should  be  sulwtitated  for  ad  valorem  duties ;  and 
wherefore  ?  By  the  ad  valorem  system  the  tax  is 
laid  uf)on  the  value  of  the  article  imported.  Sugar 
worth  $100,  at  20  per  cent,,  would  yield  a  tax  of 
$20 ;  while  upon  the  same  amount  of  sugar,  but  of 
finer  quality,  and  worth  $200,  the  tax  would  be 
$40,  A  farm  worth  $7,000,  upon  which  a  tax  of 
two  per  cent,  would  be  levied,  would  yield  a  tax  of 
$140,  while  one  worth  only  $r)00,  would  yield  only 
$10  revenue.  The  same  argument,  with  equal  force, 
will  apply  to  silks,  broadcloths,  cotton  goods,  <fec. 
There  is  nothing  improper  in  this ;  on  the  contraiy, 
it  is  in  strict  accordance  with  justice.  But  specific 
duties  is  a  tariff  of  the  same  amount  upon  all  arti- 
cles of  the  same  kind,  weight,  yard,  <fec.  Brown 
sugar  may  be  taken  for  the  purpose  of  illustration. 
Havana  sugar  we  will  suppose  worth  $4  per  hun- 
dred :  the  tax  levied  upon  this  amount,  under  the 
specific  duties  of  the  tariff  of  1842,  would  be  $2  50. 
Porto  Rico,  worth  $2  per  hundred,  would  yield  the 
same  amount  of  tax,  i.  e.  $2  50.  This  is  not  more 
palpably  unjust  than  levying  the  same  duty  upon 
all  silks,  all  laces,  all  broadcloths,  all  ladies'  hats, 
&c.  <fec.,  without  regard  to  the  quality  of  those  arti- 


POLK     ADMINI8TRATI0V. 


341 


cl<?H.  It  would  be  aa  ridiculous  as  levying  the  same 
tax  ufKjn  all  farms,  carriages,  horses,  «fec.,  without 
t'«!gard  to  the  value  thereof.  It  would  require  the 
ownf,T  of  ten  acres  of  mountain  land,  to  pay  as  much 
OH  Van  Rensselaer,  and  force  the  tenant  of  a  hovel 
to  contribute  as  much  as  the  owner  of  the  most 
Kph;ndid  mansion  in  New-Yoi-k.  There  is  noju'fftice 
in  thft  mode  of  raising  revenue  by  specific  duties ; 
and  therefore  it  cannot  commend  itself  to  our  favor- 
afile  considei'ation.  But  it  is  asserted  by  those  who 
are  ignorant  of  what  they  discuss,  or  are  personally 
irit<Tested  in  the  matter,  that  specific  duties  are  ne- 
<u^j^r^&Ty  to  prevent  frauds.  Such  is  not  the  opinion 
of  a  distinguished  statesman,  who  hac  thoroughly 
investigated  the  subject.* 

Minimum  duties  are  as  objectionable  as  specific. 


*  "  What  are  the  other  principles  of  the  Act  ?  (Compromise  Act.) 
Firmt,  tbftre  is  the  principle,  that  a  fixed  ad  valorem  duty  shall  prevail  and 
\iK  in  ff<rce  at  all  times.  For  one,  I  am  willing  to  abide  by  that  princinle. 
ThfTp  are  certain  vague  notions  afloat  as  to  the  utility  and  necessity  of 
dpfffific  duties  and  discriminations,  which  '  am  persuaded  arise  from  a 
want  (tf  a  right  understanding  of  the  subject.  We  have  had  the  ad  va- 
Uirttn  principle  practically  in  force  ever  since  the  Compromise  Act  wag 
(MMtfrd  ;  and  there  has  been  no  difliculty  in  tdministering  the  duties  of  the 
treiwnryon  that  principle. 

"  fVimpare  the  system  of  specific  and  th"  ad  valorem  system  of  duties, 
«f>d  f  maintain  that  the  latter  is  justly  entitled  to  the  preference.  The 
'w  ;>rinf.ipln  declares  that  the  duty  shall  be  paid  upon  the  real  value 
of  the  article  taxe«l ;  the  specific  principle  imposes  an  equal  duty  on  arti- 
e\c*  greatly  unequal  in  value. 

"  I  say  th?.;  in  theory,  and  according  to  every  sound  principle  of  justice, 
thf^ii  valor(?m  principle  is  en^'  'ed  to  the  preference." 

"  I  bel'eve  that  if  we  adopt  a  fixwl  rate  ad  valorem,  wherever  it  can  lie 
lUmf,  th«»  revpnne  will  ho  subjecfed  to  fewer  frauds  than  the  Injustice  and 
fnn^n  incident  to  specific  duties." — Spm-h  of  Mr.  Clay  in  ihe  Senate, 
March  I,  13(2. 


342 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Nothing  could  be  more  odious  tlian  this  method  of 
collecting  taxes.  Coarse  cotton  shirtings,  woi'th  in 
England  three  cents  per  yartl,  by  the  law  of  1842  is 
aanumed  to  be  worth  twenty  cents  per  yard ;  thus 
bearing  a  falsehood  on  its  face.  If  a  duty  of 
forty  per  cent,  were  levied  upon  the  three  cents,  the 
real  value  of  a  yard  of  coarse  cotton  shirting,  the 
tax  would  be  about  one  cent;  but  amnmin<i  the 
yard  to  be  worth  twenty  cents,  that  law  would  ex- 
act, even  if  the  article  could  be  admitted,  a  tax  of 
eight  cents  instead  of  one.  What  would  be  thought 
of  the  equity  of  a  State  law,  which  would  authorize 
a  sheriff  to  asitimie  that  a  farm  worth  $1,000  is 
worth  $6,000 ;  and  instead  of  exacting  from  the 
owner  twenty  dollars,  wring  from  his  honest  eai'n- 
ings  one  hundred  and  twenty?  As  much  justice 
would  there  be  in  suffering  a  Shylock,  who  had 
loaned  $100  at  six  per  cent.,  to  assume  that  he  had 
loaned  $600,  and  instead  of  receiving  six  per  cent, 
interest,  to  extort  thirty-six. 

Notwithstanding  the  triumphs  of  the  tariff  of 
1846,  and  the  unparalleled  prosperity  which  the 
whole  country  exhibits  under  its  operation,  still  the 
discontented  manufacturer  harps  upon  the  necessity 
of  more  protection ;  and  the  press  which  advocates 
their  cause,  portrays  the  advantages  of  the  home 
market  which  will  be  extended  to  the  farmer,  pro- 
vided he  will  generously  allow  them  to  filch  money 
from  his  pocket.  The  farmer,  however,  fully  ap- 
preciates the  offer,  and  understands  the  o])erati<)n 
of  the  swindling  protective  system  in  all  its  details. 
The  time  for  humbugging  the  people  of  this  cuunti  y 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


343 


is  passed;  and  it  is  surprising  that  any  attempts 
should  be  made  to  revive  an  odious  system,  which 
has  been  repudiated  and  condemned  by  the  Ameri- 
can people.  What  right  have  a  few  manufacturers 
to  demand  that  a  tax  shall  be  levied  upon  the 
masses,  that  money  may  be  put  in  their  own  pock- 
ets ?  Have  they  not  already  the  protection  which 
a  strictly  revenue  tariff  gives  them  ? 

Suppose  a  cei-tain  amount  of  foreign  iron  can  be 
landed  in  New  York  for  $100,  and  a  tariff  of  $30  is 
laid  upon  it.  This  operation  at  once  increases  the 
article  to  $130.  Is  not  that  protection  enough  for  the 
American  manufacturer  of  the  article  ?  He  has  no 
right  to  ask  even  that  protection ;  and  it  would  not 
be  extended  to  him,  if  it  did  not  incidentally  and 
necessarily  follow  from  the  levying  a  tariff'  upon  fo- 
reign importations.  Wliy  should  not  the  American 
farmer  seek  the  cheapest  market  throughout  the 
world  to  purchase  his  iron,  salt,  or  sugar  ?  Why 
should  not  the  shackles  be  stricken  from  com- 
merce, that  he  may  cany  his  produce  to  any  part 
of  the  globe  ?  It  is  asserted  that  a  high  tariff  will 
produce  competition  ;  the  fai-mer  will  al)andon  his 
plough  and  become  a  consumer  instead  of  a  produ- 
cer, all  resulting  in  a  glorious  home-market.  ITiere 
would  be  some  plausibility  in  this  assumption  if 
there  were  no  forests  to  be  cleared,  and  if  the 
amount  of  production  of  the  American  soil  had 
reached  its  highest  point.  But  there  are  vast  and 
gloomy  forests  spreading  far  to  the  w 'st^\ard,  ten- 
anted only  by  howling  })easts  and  lurking  savages. 
Our  soil  still  repayt-  bountifully  the  husbandman's 


Oiuaii'I  MarcJi  I.IJMI, 


344 


UISTOltY     OF     THE 


industry.  Europe  still  pours  forth  her  thousands 
annually,  seeking  liberty  and  hap|)ineHS ;  and  man 
still  prefers  to  breathe  the  ])ure  air  of  heaven  in  the 
country,  and  quench  his  thirst  from  the  cool  watei-s 
which  burst  from  the  hillsides,  to  confinement  in 
unhealthy  manufactories ;  and  shunning  the  toil  of 
the  crowded,  confined,  and  joyless  "corporations," 
seeks  independence  and  happiness  in  the  country, 
where  the  cricket  is  heard  ui)on  the  hearth,  and 
where  his  fire  never  goes  out.  The  tariff  of  1846 
may  require  modification ;  if  so,  let  it  be  revised  for 
that  purpose.  But  the  people  of  this  country  will 
require  a  rigid  adherence  to  the  prindpUs  of  that 
act.  Let  revenue  alone  be  the  object  in  adjusting 
a  tariff  upon  imports.  Let  specific  minimum  and 
protective  duties  be  forever  discarded  from  the  sta- 
tute-book. Let  the  necessity  for  a  high  tariff  be 
obviated  by  a  rigid  economy  upon  the  part  of  the 
General  Government,  and  that  prosperity  will  con- 
tinue, which  stamps  the  present  as  an  important  era 
in  our  countiy's  history. 

Frequent  allusion  is  made  by  the  advocates  of  a 
protective  tarift'  to  the  evils  co  be  apprehended  from 
the  establishment  of  free  trade.  They  insist  that 
our  people  will  become  largely  indebted  to  foreign- 
ers for  manufactures,  resulting  in  a  balance  of  trade 
against  us.  They  continually  remind  us  of  the  im- 
portance of  preser\nng  the  balance  of  trade  in  our 
favor  in  onr  dealings  with  all  the  powere  of  the 
earth.  That  is  more  than  we  ought  to  desire,  or 
can  ever  expect  to  accomplish.  We  may  become 
indebted  to  China  for  tea,  to  the  East  India  islands 


POLK     ADMINISTH ATION. 


345 


i 


for  spices,  and  to  France  for  silks.  We  i)ay  the 
debt  off  with  the  balance  coming  to  us  from  Eng- 
land. The  balance  may  be  against  us  in  tj'ading 
with  one  country,  and  for  us  in  trading  with  ano- 
ther— all  resulting  in  a  fair  and  ecjuitable  exchange 
of  productions.  To  slyly  overreach  foreign  mer- 
chants should  not  be  considered  peculiarly  laudable, 
especially  when  it  is  done  by  obtaining  commercial 
advantages  altogether  inconsistent  with  the  laws  of 
trade,  and  common  honesty.  No  countiy  with  such 
a  vast  annual  production  as  our  own  can  ever  have 
cause  to  fear  the  result  of  free  trade.  If  our  re- 
sources were  small,  and  we  produced  little  more 
than  was  necessary  for  our  own  consumption,  it 
would  be  otherwise.  But  while,  year  afttu'  year, 
there  is  pouring  from  every  hill  and  valley  through- 
out the  confederacy,  our  surplus  produce  to  change 
for  the  necessaries  and  luxuries  of  the  old  world, 
we  have  no  reason  to  dread  the  most  unrestricted 
commercial  regulations.  The  balance  oi produce  and 
cominnj)tio)i  is  altogether  a  different  question ; — the 
amount  of  production  may  decrease,  while  its  con- 
sumj)tion  increases,  resulting  in  disaster  and  wretch- 
edness. To  illustrate:  We  will  suppose  that  the 
United  States  increase  in  poj)ulation  until  they  num- 
ber one  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  inhabitants. 
If  the  production  decreased,  the  result  would  be 
poverty  and  want,  rendered  more  disastrous  by 
mental  and  physical  inbecility.  The  production  of 
the  world,  through  the  indolence  of  its  inhal)itants, 
might  become  less  than  its  consumption,  ending  in 
the  same  results.     But  where  the  production  of  a 


TASPKR  I.IUllA 


846 


niSTOBY     OF     TUB 


natiuu  is  greater  thun  its  cuusuinj)tiou,  tlie  surplus 
can  l)u  exchanged  for  the  luxuries  and  necessaries 
of  other  lands.  Events  may  occur  when  the  balance 
of  trade  may  lie  against  the  United  States,  and  the 
balance  of  produce  and  consumi)tion  remain  in  its 
favor.  Su])pose,  to  put  a  strong  case,  a  nation  im- 
ports for  a  certain  number  of  yeai-s  more  in  value 
than  is  exported,  yet  the  substantial  wealth  of  that 
nation  may  be  on  the  increase,  by  the  increased  va- 
lue, in  a  gi'eater  degree,  of  its  yearly  produce,  the 
erection  of  cities,  the  building  of  railroads  and  ca- 
nals, and  the  development  of  the  resources  of  the 
country ;  thus  laying  the  fijundation  for  more  ex- 
tended and  successful  oi)erations.  It  is  true,  this  de- 
pends to  a  great  extent  on  the  internal  resources  of 
a  country,  and  the  inclination  of  her  people  to  de- 
velope  them.  It  will  aj)ply  with  much  force  to  the 
United  States,  })ecause  our  resources  are  immense ; 
while  it  would  not  to  a  country  where  the  consumj> 
tion  exceeds  the  production. 

The  illustrations  used  to  prove  the  advantages 
of  the  protective  s}'stera  are  exceedingly  amusing, 
and  demonstrate,  at  least,  the  profound  ignt)rance  of 
some  of  its  advocates.  This  is  exemj)lified  ])y  the 
denionstratifm  of  the  leading  whig  paper  in  the 
Uniteil  States.*    To  prove  the  fallacy  of  the  ai'gu- 


*  "  It  is  quite  clear,  we  think,  that  the  unrest  and  most  solid  business 
for  us  would  be  to  make  our  exports  exceed  our  imports,  because  the  ba- 
lance, whatever  it  may  lie,  will  come  to  us  in  coin  ;  that  is  to  say,  if,  in 
1845,  we  export  $1.50,000,000  and  import  only  $100,JOO,000,  the  ba- 
bnce  of  $50,000,000  (hie  us  by  the  residue  of  the  world  will  be  received 
in  the '  hard,'  which  should  lie  an  welcome  to  the  loco  focos  as  to  the  whigs." 
— National  Inlelligeiicer,  October  8,  1845. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


347 


ment,  it  Is  only  iieceHHury  to  examine  it.  8uj))M»rte 
we  hIiohM  rec<'ive  ^ ')(>,{)( »(\000  annually,  »is  the  ha- 
lanc*;  (iu<.*  urt  l»y  the  nations  of  the  earth,  how  long 
U'oiiM  it  take  us  to  rcccwa  aU  the  gi)lil  and  silvci-  in 
the  world  '{  The  amount  of  gold  and  silver  in  eir- 
culution  hiw  lieen  estimated  at  $r),000,OU( »,()(»().  It 
would  therefore  only  re({uire  one  hundred  yeaix, 
ae('<»rtling  to  th(!  theoiy  of  the  InicUoje/i'Ce/;  to  drain 
the  univcrsf;  of  its  gold  and  silver.  The  most  efVec- 
tual  ii  I  hod  of  advancing  the  j)rosj)erity  of  this 
cou)l^'•;'  •(*  to  obtain  a  foreign  market  for  its  viust 
Bur[>lus  produce.  If  this  can  be  accom])lished,  there 
is  no  danger  of  Imnkruptcy  being  the  fatis  that 
awaits  us.  ll)*;  great  staj>le  of  this  country  is  cot- 
ton, I>!t  commercial  treaties  with  China  enable  us 
to  balance  with  that  country  our  accounts  with  cot- 
t^tn.  The  imjxirts  of  merchandise  into  China  fn»m 
tlie  United  States,  in  1844,  amounted  to  ^l,32(t,l70 
Tlie  e,v|)r,rt  of  China  on  American  ac- 
count, was  ....         r),(')S('),lTl 

Leaving  a  Ijalance  against  the  U,  S,  of    $5,3(U),O01 

Tliere  is  no  reasf)n  why  this  balance  should  not 
be  discharged  with  cotton.  The  total  number  of 
}>ales  (»f  cotton  exported  from  the  United  States  to 
foreign  ports,  from  1st  Septenjber,  1848,  to  31st  Au- 
gust, 1849,  as  appeal's  from  Hunt's  Ma- 
gazine, wiiH  ....  2,227,841 
Excess  over  last  year,  -  -  -  3<ti),r)83 
Now  let  us  see  what  was  the  amount  com])ai'«Ml 
to  this,  which  was  consumed  by  the  much  laudetl 
home  market,    Th«;  (piantity  of  cotton  consumed  by 


^f^mrm-W' 


348 


HISTOBT     OF     THE 


and  in  the  hands  of  the  manfacturei's,  wt.s  less  than 
r)20,0()()  bales.  Now  shall  this  large  surplus  remain 
upon  the  hands  of  the  pror  jcer,  tli.at  the  manufac- 
turers in.'iy  Le  pleased  by  the  establishment  of  re- 
strictive duties  ?  It  is  not  alone  the  article  of  cotton 
which  we  want  to  exchange  for  the  productions  of 
other  countries.  The  United  States  could  become, 
if  necessary,  the  gi-anary  of  the  world.  The  farmer 
desires  a  market  for  his  corr ,  pork,  beef,  flour,  and 
tobacco,  as  well  as  cotton.  It  is  for  the  actom])lish- 
nieut  of  these  ends  that  the  influence  of  the  Govern- 
ment should  be  wielded.  The  dii)lomatic  agents  of 
the  United  States  should  be  directed  to  make  con- 
stant exertions  to  procure  the  admission  of  the  pro- 
ductions of  our  people  into  foreign  countries,  u])on 
the  most  favoral)!e  terms.  Wlien  that  is  done,  we 
shall  realize  all  the  ])enefits  resulting  from  the  illim- 
itable resources  of  the  most  favored  country  upon 
the  globe.  The  policy  of  establishing  countervailing 
duties  as  an  oflTset  to  the  high  larifls  whith  were  im- 
posed u[)on  their  subjects  by  foreign  po  Yei"s,  received 
the  warm  supi)ort  of  the  whig  ";irty.  It  is  diflicult 
to  conceive  what  justice  there  is  in  imposing  bur- 
dens upon  our  own  citizens,  because  monarchical 
powers  o|)])ress  their  subjects.  ?l\perience  ])roves, 
however,  that  the  advocacy  upon  our  part  of  liberal 
principles,  ha.s  had  a  l)eneficial  efll'ct  upon  England  * 

♦  "  Tlip  most  cnrioiiH  item  of  intelli(rpnco  by  this  arrivni  is  tlic  nnprerc- 
■  '?ntc(l  roinpiiinoiit  pnid  hv  'he  Iloiincof  Iiords  to  Mr.  Sccrptnry  Wiillicr's 
Animal  TrcaKiiry  Ri'[Kirt,  rpcoinmpiidiiig  tlic  rppea!  of  oiir  protective 
tnriff.  wliicli  wan  onlcrod  liy  tlicir  Ijordsliips  to  lip  priiitml  for  llip  usp  of 
the  Iloiiup.  If  is,  iiidcpd,  imt  iiiiprohalilo  ll.it  tlip  frpp  tradp  propositions 
of  our  Secretary  acceleratod,  if  tlipy  did  not  prompt,  the  kindred  measure 


"~  ^  I  ijwi|.HII(!l.U»IIH«lui.lii!l  (Iliu 


■  I  iiivppiviiii  i.mjiiinwjiii  fC'lv*' 


POLK      ADMINISTRATION. 


349 


If  such  a  fortunate  result  has  been  produced  l)y  th'^ 
liberal  course  of  the  United  States,  we  surely  hav.. 
great  inducement  to  pei-severe  in  our  efforts,  until 
we  have  i)laced  our  commercial  regulation  ujton  the 
best  footing  with  the  powei-s  of  the  earth. 

A  remarkalile  versatility  ha.s  charactei'ized  the 
course  pui"sued  })y  the  friends  of  the  restrictive 
system.  They  have  not  leased  their  argument;;  upon 
imnmtable  princi])les,  which  are  as  unchangealjle  as 
the  eternal  will.  On  the  contrary,  their  argumeHts 
have  changed  Avith  circumstances.  One  of  the 
most  ciistinguished  cliampions  of  that  |)olicy  is  Mr. 
Hudson,  for  a  long  time  a  memljer  of  Congress  from 
Msvssachusetts ;  his  arguments  abound  in  8oj)histry, 
although  they  bear  the  evidence  of  aj)parent  frank- 
ness. A  thorough  master  of  the  subject,  he  always 
exhibited  great  ability  in  its  discussion,  ami  the  fa- 
cility with  which  he  seized  upon  the  strong  points 
which  cireiwi-stmnw  placed  in  his  possession,  ren- 
dered him  a  formidable  opponent  to  the  i)rogress  of 
liberal  principles.  There  was  one  argumon*  \vJnch 
possessed  great  plausibility,  and  when  stated  with 
gi-eat  sincerity  of  manner,  always  prixluced  an  effect, 
and  that  was  the  impolicy  of  resorting  to  free  trade, 
because  other  nations  placed  enormous  duties  upon 
the  productions  of  our  coimtiy.*    But  subsecpiently 

in  Rnijlftnd  of  n  total  repeal  of  the  com  hwe."— Editorial  of  the  .\'alional 
Intellifrencrr,  Frhruary  i\,  1846. 

♦  "  The  Committee  sec  nothing  in  the  policy  of  other  nations  which 
wonid  justify  ns  in  adoptinj;;  the  delnsive  theory  of  free  trade.  The  new 
tariffof  Great  Britain,  which  has  ucen  iiniled  as  tlie  harhinger  of  a  roin- 
mercinl  millennium,  is  highly  restrictive  in  its  character."  "  Some  nrlirleg 
which  were  formerly  prohibited,  she  new  admits,  but  on  a  duty  no  nerrly 


\ 


IASl*i:U   J-lJillAllY, 
Oiuan?  March  l.llj.l  I, 


*  » 


350 


HI.STOUY     OK     THE 


to  that  time,  the  English  Government  removed  al- 
together, or  greatly  reduced  Ijer  duties  upon  Ame- 
rican produce.*  When  the  (iovernmeiit  of  Kngland 
tendered  to  the  United  States  such  commercial  ad- 


Suited  beef     .     .     . 

per  cent. 

.     .     IK) 

UllCOtl           .... 

.     .  WJ 

UllIUT          .      .      .      • 

.     .    70 

Iiiiliaii  corn,  average 
Flour,  average 
Rosin 

.   .   aa 

.     .    32 

.     .     7(> 

Snerni  oil       ... 

.    .   3:j 

proliibitory,  that  they  cannot  he  imported  except  in  extreme  canes." 
"  But  wliat  is  the  free  trade  that  Kn;rlHnd  tcndcr.i  to  iih  ?  On  what  terms 
docs  she  receive  our  staples  ?  Wliy,  slio  iin|>oseii  the  following  rate  of 
duties  upon  our  products  : 

per  cent. 
SpiTm  cnnillos    ....     1)3 
'I'olmcco  inniiufactured        l^UO 
Tolmreo  iinnianuruclured   lUdO 

.Snlied  pork .33 

Soap 200 

Spirlut  from  grain  .     .  500 

Spirits  from  inolasBes    .      IGUO 

"  On  the.se  fourteen  articles  she  imposes  an  average  of  355  per  cent., 
a  duty  vastly  greater  than  we  inijwst?  npon  any  of  her  fabrics.  It  is 
idle  therefore  to  pretend  that  she  extends  to  ns  any  thing  like  free  trade." 
— Report  of  Mr.  Hudson  miule  to  dmf^reu,  lOZ/i  of  A]iril,  1844. 

*  "  Alleratinn  of  dulifi  on  Ameriran  I'roduce. 
"Our  American  readers  will  find  that  the  Hritish  Ministry  propose  to 
make  important  reductions  on  many  of  the  articles  "xported  from  America 
to  England.     We  hope  to  sec  a  similar  spirit  manifested  by  the  Cabinet  at 
Washington.    The  alterations  comprise : 
PremouH  duty. 
Bacon       ....     14h.  per  cwt. 
Beef,  fresh     ...       88.       do.     .     . 
Bn-f,  salted  ...       8s.        do.     .     . 


liny IGs.  per  load 


Reduced  to — 

Kree. 

Free. 

Free. 

Fr«f. 


Hides 
Meat 
Pork 


28.  per  lb Free. 


88.  per  fwt.      .     .     .       Free. 

8b.        do Free. 

Buckwheat   ...  Ii.  per  quarter. 

Cnmlles,  tallow  10s.  per  cwt.       ...       5^,  pc:  cwt. 

I0».  (i»  per  cwt.      .     .       Ss*.      do. 

20  per  cent 10  per  cent. 

7».  per  cwt. 
45«.      do. 


Cheese 

Clocks      .     .     . 

Ilnins 1  is.  per  cwl, 

Hops yOs.       do. 

Indian  corn,  heavy 

duty 

Rice 

Tnllow 

Nntinnal   Intrllicrnrer,  February  21»<,   1846, 
Smith't  European  Timn. 


Is.  per  quarter, 
fis.  |ier  cwt.  la.  per  qr. 
3s  to  do. cwl.  Is  p.  cwt. 
Credited  to    Wilmer  J- 


•nimmmm 


POLK     ADMINIHTnATION. 


351 


vantages,  it  was  indeed  tlu^  liarl)inger  of  "  a  com- 
mercial millennium,"  (jspcoially  when  it  was  done 
under  circumstances  which  ])recliided  the  idea  (»f 
another  resoit  to  the  restrictive  policy.  Air.  Ilud- 
8oa,  who  had  so  often  complained  of  the  oppressive 
duties  imposed  upon  Anterican  proflnctions,  (•uj.fht 
assuredly  to  e.vpress  satisfncti<m  at  the  liberal  course 
pursued  by  tiu!  Hritish  (Jovernment.  This  was  not 
the  case,  however.  He  immediately  chani,'e(l  front, 
and  instead  of  condenming  the  high  taritt"  of  (Ji-eat 
Britain,  as  he  had  done  in  1844,  he  actually  at- 
temj)ted  to  convince  the  House;  of  Rej»resentatives 
that  the  people  of  this  country  were  injurnl.  and 
not  benefited  by  the  free;  trade;  tariff* of  (Jreat  Bri- 
tain.* Thei'e  is  but  one  instance  of  such  remark- 
able versatility  upon  record.f 

In  1842  Mr.  Hudson  made  u  powei-ful  s[)et'ch,  for 
the  purpose  of  showing  the  necessity  of  a  high  tariff 
to  jH'otect  the  op(;ratives  in  this  country  against  the 
pauper  laborer  of  Europe.  H(!  drew  a  mournful 
picture  of  the  sufferings  in  Ireland,  for  the  ))ui'pose 
of  illustrating  the  low  wages  which  were  ])ai(l  for 
labor. J     This  would  be  regarded  an  a.  vision  of  an 

*  "  I  nm  aware  that  it  will  l)o  nai(l  that  iiioHt  of  the  wheat  wlilrh  is  BPiit 
into  Cntmila  finds  its  way  into  Oreat  Tiritain.'  f  a.lmil  it,  and  shall  en- 
deavor to  show  hereafter,  that  in  thin  indirect  trade  we  now  enjoy  a  sort 
of  monopoly,  l)y  the  operation  of  Ihr  pmsent  rurn-tairs  of  (irrat  Urilain, 
hnt  of  which  we  should  W  deprived  by  a  repeal  of  those  laws.  This  is, 
in  fart,  the  point  to  which  I  wish  to  all  attention — the  great  (|ii"'sti(in  for 
the  committee  and  the  country  to  consider." — Sjn'i'ch  nf  Mr.  Hudson, 
Housf  <)f  Rrprrsi'Ttlmiteii,  February  '2(i,  184(i. 

f  "  I  went  to  her.  Master  Ur(K)k,  as  yon  see,  like  a  poor  old  man  :  but 
I  came  from  her.  Master  Hrook,  like  a  poor  old  woman." 

{  "  With  such  facts  before  us,  wo  can  sympathize  with  a  respectable 
weaver,  who  testilied  before  tlic  commissioner  as  follcwH : 


863 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


excited  imagination,  if  we  should  judge  from  o,  fancy 
sketch  of  the  Hame  gentleman  of  a  later  producti(jn.* 
Since  tht!  i*e|)eal  of  the  corn  laws  affords  the  agricul- 
turintrt  of  this  country  an  opportunity  of  feeding 
those  who  w(!re  described  as  being  so  stricken  with 
j)overty  in  the  speech  of  Mr.  Hudson  in  1842,  he 
hiw  changed  hi .  argument,  and  has  now  come  to  the 

"'  Qiwsliim.  Have  yon  any  children  ?' 

" '  AnsH-er.  No.     1  had,  but  they  are  both  dead,  tlianks  bo  to  God.' 
"'  (^wsiiim.  Do  you  express  (latisfaction  at  the  death  of  your  children  7' 
"'  Anmvr.  I  do.     I  thank  God  for  it.     I  am  relieved  from  the  burden 
of  maintnininjr  them ;  and  they,  poor  dear  creatures,  are  relieved  from  the 
troubles  of  this  mortal  life.' 

"  Comments  upon  such  evidence  would  be  out  of  place.  When  poverty 
and  wretchcilnesR  press  so  heavily  upon  parents  that  they  rejoice  at  the 
death  of  their  own  children,  their  state  must  be  painful  indeed." — Extracts 
fnim  the  fpfftch  of  Mr.  Hiukon.,  of  Massachiisells,  July  8,  1842. 

♦  •'  Tooke,  an  experienced  English  writer,  informs  us  that,  from  1832  to 
1838,  the  crops  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  were  so  abundant  that  wheat 
was  fed  out  to  cattle,  sheep,  and  swine,  and  even  used  for  distillation. 
This  induced  the  farmer  to  sow  less  ;  and,  for  several  succeeding  years, 
the  winters  were  unfavorabli'  for  the  crops,  and  the  season  of  harvest  was 
unpropitioiiH,  so  as  to  increase  the  demand  for  foreign  grain.  Every  man 
acquainted  with  English  agriculture  knows  that  great  improvements  are 
constantly  taking  place  in  her  mode  of  cultivation.  Bogs  and  swamps  are 
being  reclaimed,  barren  hillsides  are  being  converted  into  fruitful  fields, 
and  her  wa^to  places  are  being  made  to  blossom  like  the  rose.  She  has 
also  adopted  an  improved  mode  of  seeding.  Until  quite  recently,  the  wheat 
growers  were  in  the  hobit  of  sowing  about  three  b\i8hels  of  grain  to  the 
acre.  But  Druminond,  a  late  English  writer,  says  that,  by  the  introduc- 
tion of  a  new  machine  for  sowing  wheat,  which  distributes  the  grain 
erjunlly  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  ground,  they  have  found  that  a  less 
quantity  of  seed  will  answer  equally  well ;  and  that  this  improvement 
alone  will  save  to  the  United  Kingdom  five  or  six  millions  of  bushels,  and 
thus  supply  at  least  one-third  of  her  deficiency.  Under  these  circum- 
■tances,  it  is  not  probable  that  her  demand  for  foreign  grain  will  materially 
increase.  Iter  own  supply  will  increase  with  her  demand.  The  means 
of  the  mass  of  her  people  are  limited  ;  and  we  cannot  expect  that,  under 
any  circumstances,  she  will  take  a  quantity  of  foreign  grain  much,  if  any, 
larger  than  she  does  at  present." — Ibid. 


Ill    I    « llllllfl^  Jl 


mo^ip 


luivmiijl '  1^1  Ml 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION. 


353 


coiK'liiHion  that  there  is  no  hope  that  the  demand  for 
oiir  productions  will  })e  incretused.  The  corn  laws, 
wlii(;h  hung  for  ho  many  years  like  an  incubus  u])on 
the  consumers  of  England,  were  established  for  the 
benefit  of  the  land  proprietor.  The  scale  of  duties 
uj)on  breadstufts  wius  raised  so  high,  that  it  pro- 
ducetl  not  only  extreme  suffering,  but  often  star- 
vation. The  great  scarcity  which  resulted  frcjiu  this 
policy,  enriched  the  landholder,  while  it  inflicted 
dr(;adful  sufferings  upon  the  poor.  A  scarcity  of 
foot!  j'aised  its  price  enormijusly,  and  the  conse- 
qu(!nce  was,  that  thousands  of  human  l)eings  existed, 
only,  upon  the  smallest  ([uanticy  possible,  of  the 
most  indifferent  provisions.  For  the  relief  of  that 
portion  of  the  community,  societies  were  established 
foi'  the  purpose  of  producing  a  reform.  The  intel- 
lects of  some  of  the  ablest  and  most  eloquent  of  the 
orators  of  England  were  devoted  to  its  accolnplish- 
ment,  Tlie  struggle  wjis  long  and  fierce.  The  j)ow- 
er  and  interests  of  the  British  nobility  were  arrayed 
against  a  starving  community,  anu  the  struggle  end- 
ed by  a  defeat  of  the  lords,  and  the  adoj)tion  of  the 
principles  of  free  trad>\ 

By  the  reduction  of  the  tariff,  the  agricultural 
products  of  other  nations  were  admitted  into  Eng- 
land, llie  imi)orter  was  enalded  to  purchase  at 
lower  prices,  and  could  therefore  sell  a  larger  amount 
of  food  for  a  smaller  sum  of  money  than  under 
the  former  prohibitory  tariffs,  and  in  this  way  the 
producei-s  in  the  United  States  are  enaljled  to  find 
a  foreign  market  for  their  sut7)lus  produce. 

As  an  excuse  for  adhering  to  the  protective  poli- 


mum 


354 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


cy,  wlien  hanl  preHxed  foi*  arguments,  the  whig  party 
itisirtt  that  it  had  its  origin  with  the  estahlishnient  of 
<»ur  (lovcrnniciit,  and  that  the  fathei's  of  the  Re- 
public Hanctionet!  it.  It  is  well  to  examine  this  po- 
sition, because  we  ttre  inclined  to  pay  respect  to  the 
acts  and  opinions  of  those  who  cemented  our  liber- 
ties with  their  blood.  It  is  only  necessary,  to  show 
the  fallacy  of  tlu;  assertion  that  the  earlier  Presi- 
dents sanctioned  high  duties,  to  refer  to  the  tariffs 
which  were  passed  between  the  yeai-s  1789  and 
1817.* 


•  TariJ  Act  of  July  4,  1789, 
On  moloKM!!),  per  (^llon,  2^  ccntn ;  on  malt,  per  bushel,  10  cents  ;  on 
brown  Kiipirn,  [ler  prnind,  1  cent ;  loaf  sugars,  per  pound,  3  cents ;  all 
other  siigarx,  per  ptjund,  1 }  ccntH ;  on  coffee,  per  pound,  2^  cents ;  on 
bofrts,  per  pair,  W  ccntjf ;  on  all  shoes  and  slippers  made  of  leather,  per 
pair,  7  centN ;  on  all  steel  unwrought,  for  every  1 1'i  pounds,  66  cents  ;  on 
all  nails  and  ftpike«,  per  pound,  1  cent ;  on  salt,  per  bushel,  6  cents ;  on 
colli,  per  liiiMJiel,  2  r^ints ;  on  boliea  lea,  per  pound,  6  cents ;  all  hyson  teas, 
[wr  poiitul,  '20  rent* ;  on  all  writing,  printing,  or  wrapping  poper,  paper- 
liangingK,  and  pantclxKird,  7  J  percent,  ad  valorem  ;  on  all  buttons,  saddles, 
batts  of  beaver,  w<X)l,  or  mixture  of  either,  on  millinery  ready  made,  cast- 
ings of  iron,  slit  and  rolled  iron,  and  on  clothing  ready  made,  7^  per  cent 
ad  valorem. 

Tariff  Act  of  1792. 
Steel,  per  hundred  weight,  100  cents;  nail?,  per  pound,  3  cents; 
shoes  and  Klippcrs  <.f  silk,  20  cents;  all  other  shoes  and  slippers  for  men 
and  women,  clogs  and  gnlosheii,  10  cents;  on  cables,  for  every  112 
poMndf,  IHO  cent* ;  or  tarred  cordage,  for  every  113  pounds,  180  cents; 
lookirig-t'liii'x,  window,  and  other  glafs,  16  per  cent,  ad  valoreui ;  cast,  slit, 
and  rolli'il  iron,  hat*,  raps,  and  bonnets,  sail-cloth,  cabinet  wares,  and  ge- 
nerally all  maniifurtures  of  iron,  steel,  tin.  pewter,  copper,  brass,  &c.,  not 
being  otherwine  particularly  enumerated,  10  per  cent,  ad  valorem. 

Tariff  Act  of  1794. 
On  coffee,  per  ()ound,  I  cent ;  clnye<l  or  lump  sugar,  per  pound,  1 
cent ;  on  UkiIs,  per  j«ir,  26  cents ;  on  sh(jcs  and  slippers,  for  men  and 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


355 


An  argument  much  used  by  the  protectionists 
i«  >>ase<l  upon  the  fact,  that  raanufacturrd  goods 
have  fallen  in  jnice  within  the  last  thirty  yeai-s. 

wnmen,  5  cents  ;  on  coal,  per  bushel,  ]  cent ;  on  slit,  cafit,  and  rolled  iron, 
Hini,  jffnerally,  on  all  nianiifactures  of  iron,  steel,  tin,  pewter,  copper,  and 
iirmin,  not  otherwise  eniimemted,  6  per  cent,  ad  valorem  ;  on  all  iiianufac- 
tnres  o^  cotton  or  linen,  or  of  muslins  of  cotton  or  linen,  or  of  which  cot- 
Um  or  linen  is  the  miiierial  or  chief  fabric,  being  printed,  stained,  or  co- 
lored, d  per  cent,  ad  valorem. 

Tariff"  Act  of  March  3,  1797. 

**  An  Act  for  raisinf;  a  further  sum  of  money  by  additional  duties  on 
certain  articles  imported,  and  for  other  purposes. 

"  That  from  and  after  the  30th  day  of  June  next,  the  followinjj  duties, 
in  addition  to  those  now  in  force  and  payable  on  the  several  articles  hcrpin- 
aftf-r  enumerated,  shall  l)o  laid  and  levied  and  collected  upon  those  articles 
retipRctively,  at  their  importation  into  the  United  States  from  any  foreign 
port  or  place. 

"  ()n  all  brown  sugars,  per  pound,  I  cent ;  on  all  bohea  tea,  per  pound, 
2  rents  ;  on  all  molasses,  per  gallon,  1  cent ;  and  on  all  velvets  nnil  velve- 
refs,  whether  stained,  printed,  colored,  or  otherwise,  and  upon  all  muslins, 
miiKlinPt^,  and  other  cotton  goods,  not  printed,  stained,  or  colored,  2^  per 
cent,  ad  valorem." 

There  was  also  a  section  providing  that  after  the  30th  of  June  an 
additional  duty  of  10  per  cent,  should  be  levied  on  the  aforesaid  articles 
imported  in  foreign  ships. 

Tariff  nf  March  26,  1804,  (durinfr  the  Ailminvilralion  of  Jefferson,) 
called  the  Mediterranean  Fund. 

"  An  Act  further  to  protect  the  commerce  and  seamen  of  the  United 
HCstes  airainst  the  Barbary  Powers. 

"  A  duty  of  2^  per  centiun  ad  valorem  in  addition  to  the  duties  now 
imposed  by  law,  [aforesaid  act  of  March  3d,  1797,]  shall  be  laid,  levied, 
and  collected  upon  all  gotxls,  wares,  and  merchandise,  paying  a  duty  ad 
valorem,  which  shall,  after  the  30th  day  of  June  next,  be  imported  into  the 
United  .Stales  from  any  foreign  port  or  place." 

The  act  provided  an  additional  duty  of  10  per  cent,  upon  goods, 
wureji,  and  merchandise,  imported  in  vessels  not  of  the  United  .States. 

The  act  further  provided  that  a  distinct  account  should  be  kept  of  the 
fond,  and  that  the  additional  duty  should  cease  as  soon  as  the  difficulties 
should  be  adjusted  with  the  Barbaiy  Powers. 


iUi^iiiil  MaicJi  l.in."'i. 
Iiist'i   A       .  2V'>  IHoT. 


356 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


That  aasumption  is  con-ect,  but  the  error  they  com- 
mit is  in  not  attributing  it  to  tlie  right  cause.  They 
assert  that  it  is  the  result  of  the  protective  system. 
It  can  hardly  be  assumed  that  our  revenue  laws 
have  produced  a  reduction  in  the  price  of  manufac- 
tured goods  throughout  the  world.  Prices  have 
been  reduced  in  England,  as  well  as  in  this  ccmntry. 
When  alluding  to  the  results  which  are  to  follow 
competition  among  our  own  manufacturei"s,  they 
foi'get  that  there  is  a  competion  among  foreigner 
for  our  market,  which  has  had  the  effect  of  keej)ing 
down  prices.  Mechanical  skill  has  made  wonderful 
improvements  in  the  machinery  which  has  been 
substituted  for  hand  labor,  and  the  low  price  of  the 
raw  material,  and  of  food,  as  forests  melt  away  be- 
fore the  progress  of  civilization,  and  broad  aci-es 
yield  their  harvests  as  the  fruits  of  labor,  are  by  no 
means  unimportant  causes  for  the  fall  in  the  price 
of  manufactured  goods,  within  the  last  quarter  of  a 
century.  But  the  gi-eat  question  for  the  country  to 
consider  is  the  comparative  price  of  manufactured 


Tariff'  Act  of  1816,  during  Madison's  Adminislralion. 
On  all  articles  manufactured  from  brass,  copper,  iron,  steel,  pewter, 
lead,  or  tin,  cutlery,  pins,  needles,  buttons,  cannon,  muskets,  and  firearms, 
20  per  cent,  ad  valorem ;  on  woollen  manul'actures,  of  all  descriptions,  or 
of  which  wool  is  the  material  of  chief  value,  (excepting  blankets,  woollen 
rugs,  and  worsted  or  stuff  goods,)  26  per  cent,  ad  valorem,  until  June, 
1819,  and  aflerthat  day  20  per  cent,  ad  valorem  ;  on  all  cotton  manufac- 
tures, of  all  descriptions,  or  of  which  cotton  is  the  material  of  chief  value, 
and  on  cotton  twist,  yarn,  or  thread,  as  follows :  for  three  years  next  ensu- 
ing the  13th  day  of  June,  1816,  26  per  cent,  ad  valorem,  and  after  that 
time  20  per  cent,  ad  valorem ;  on  iron,  in  bars  and  bolts,  (excepting  iron 
manufactured  by  rolling,)  per  hundred  weight,  46  cents ;  on  boots,  per 
pair,  160  cents. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


357 


articles  previous  and  subsequent  to  the  passage  of 
the  act  of  1842,  and  befoi'e  and  since  the  act  of 
184G  went  into  operation.* 

*  fVholtsale  price  of  donuBlic  goods  on  the  first  day  of  August,  1842,  and 

1844,  taken  from  the  sales-books  of  the  selling  agents,  and 

copied  into  the  New  York  Morning  News. 

TABLE  I. 


ARTICLES. 

Brown  cotton  flannels,  Hamilton,  per  yard, 

Glasgow  jenns,  per  yard, 

Sheep's  gray  casinets,  per  yard, 

37-liich  brown  sheetings.  In.  Head,  per  yard, 

37-inch  brown  sheetings,  Oella  B.,  per  yard, 

37-inch  brown  sheetings.  Savage  factory,  per  yard, 

37-inch  brown  sheetings,  Stark  company,  per  yard, 

37-inch  brown  sheetings.  Thistle  factory,  per  yard, 

27-inch  brown  sheetings.  Thistle  factory,  per  yard, 

37-inch  brown  sheetings,  Patuxent  company,  per  yard, 

44-inch  Osnaburgs,  grays,  Patapsco  factory,  per  yard, 

Penitentiary  plaids  and  stripes,  per  yard, 

Salisbury  company  scarlet  flannels.  No.  12  to  26  inclusive, 

Merrimack  blue  prints,  per  yard,  .... 

Fall  River  blue  prints,  per  yard 

Maverick  sattinels,  per  yard,        .... 


per  yd, 


1842.  1644. 


els. 
lOi 
17 
30 

74 
7 
8 
7 

64 
5 

74 


cts. 

11* 

19 

45 

8* 

8 

8 

8* 

8 

6i 

8i 


104    12 

10     114 


18 

114 

10 

574 


254 

114 

104 

75 


I  now  give  the  price  of  iron  in  the  New-York  market  on  the  30tb 
July,  in  each  of  the  years  of  1842  and  1845. 

TABLE  IL 


ARTICLES. 

1842. 

1845. 

Bar,  Russia,  P.  S.  I., 

$102  50    to  $105  UO 

$102  50  to  $105  00 

Swedes 

60  00 

85  00 

American  rolled,    . 

65  00    to 

70  00 

85  00 

Sheet  iron  (Rus.)  per  lb.     . 

00  134  to 

00  14 

0  13 

Sheet  iron  (English  and  Ame- 

rican) per  lb. 

00  05    to 

UO  054 

0  07  to        0  07J 

Hoo|»  (English  and  Ameri- 

can) per  cwt. 

4  25    to 

4  76 

5  50  to        6  50 

I  now  (five  the  prices  of  sugar  in  the  New- York  market  on  the  same 
day  of  the  month,  in  the  same  years. 

TABLE  in. 


St.  Croix,  per  lb. 
New  Orleans,  per  lb. 
Havana,  white,  per  lb. 
Hnvann,  brown,  per  lb. 


1845. 


6}  cts.  to 

8  cts. 

5           to 

71 

10          to 

lOj 

74         to 

9 

rAspiJu  r.iuuAin 


368 


niSTOKY     OF     THE 


If  the  price  of  niauufiicturt'd  goods  iucreivses 
uiuler  the  o])enitioii  of  u  protcctivt'  tiirilf,  surely  the 
fui'iuer  Hhuulil  receive  a  coiiijiensutioii  therefor  in  the 

LaKtIy,  I  give  tlie  prices  of  certain  otiier  article«  in  tlio  New-York 
nmrl<ct  in  the  inniitl)  (if  Juno  of  eacli  of  the  year^i  1843  and  1844, 
taken  from  tlie  New-York  Eveninir  Post. 

TABLK  IV. 


Dover  prints,  pi'r  yard,  .... 

Merritiinck  priiit.i,  per  yiird, 

Cliirkopi'i.'  I),  bniwii  !<liii'iini;s,  per  yard,        . 

Aiiiiiskciit',  liriiwii,  per  yiird, 

Kiiiiiiiirr  piiniiiiuuii  Htutlif,  pi'r  yard, 

Booit-iiiill  cdtton,  pi'r  ynrd, 

Scnrlel,  white,  and  yellow  flannels,  per  yard, 

Scarlet,  while,  and  yelluw  flannels,  per  yard, 

Scarlet,  wliite,  and  yellow  llannels,  per  yard, 

liruadclciths,  per  ynrd,       .... 

Broadeloths,  per  yard,  .... 


ih4:j.  I 

$0  U7i 

0  Hi. 

ij  Olij' 

I)  Otif 

0  lUi 

0  (18 

u  \s 

0  20 

0  a? 

2  m 

a  374 

{ill   Hi 

0  \:il 
0  ohJ 

U  Or)} 
0  16 
0  10 
0  35 
0  274 
0  35 

2  50 

3  50 


From  llio  July  No 

of  lluni'« 

Mxrchanu'  Magazine, 

l»44. 

Jttiiimry, 

Jiniufirv. 

Jaciiiary, 

January, 

Jiitiuary, 

ARTICLES. 

1^411. 

I-.II. 

IHIi 

1H|:|. 

1*11. 

Iron  anvils,  per  lb. 

$1)0  OUi 

$00  01*4 

.<|00  084 

$00  OH  4 

$00  084 

Bars,  roiniiioii  Kn(?li»h  rolled. 

per  ton. 

70  ','5 

71   25 

52  50 

.53  75 

53  75 

Bars,  reliiied  English  rolled. 

93  75 

H7  ."iO 

70  25 

67  50 

67  50 

Bars,  Ainericnii  retined, 

•10  00 

H5  00 

77  50 

65  00 

07  .50 

Blooms,  Anieriean, 

UO  OU 

52  50 

50  00 

47  50 

52  50 

Nails,  wroiiudil,  per  lb. 

0  Hi 

0  114 

0  104 

0  09 

0  09 

Nails,  cut,  per  lb. 

U  05^ 

0  05| 

0  05 1 

0  o;i] 

0  04} 

Pi^s,  per  Ion, 

35  25 

32  :>i) 

31   00 

25  00 

27  50 

Scythes,  per  dozen. 

13  (10 

12  50 

12  .50 

9  00 

9  00 

Shovels,  per  dozen,     . 

10  00 

9  50 

9  00 

7  25 

7  US 

Now.  if  competition,  under  the  tariff  of  1842,  is  to  bring  down  the 
price  of  the  manufactured  article,  according  to  their  theory,  why  not  carry 
it  out  in  yrarlice  1 

Of  tiip  si.xteen  articles  specifiwl  in  table  No.  1,  fourteen  have  increosed 
in  price  from  1842  to  1844  ;  two  remain  at  the  same  cost. 

There  are  six  articles  contained  in  table  No.  2 ;  four  have  increased  in 
price  from  1812  to  1845;  one  has  not  varied,  otie  has  slightly  fallen. 

f)f  the  finir  articles  contained  in  table  No.  3,  every  one  rose  in  value 
from  1842  to  1845. 


liia^n^mpi^nPr^ 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


359 


increased  price  of  IiIh  agricultural  [d'oilucts.  This, 
however,  is  very  far  from  l)eing  the  case,*  uiwl  while 
he  is  forced  to  i)uy  more  for  the  goods  which  he  is 


Eleven  articles  are  specified  in  tabic  No.  4 ;  every  one  cnhoncod  in 
price  from  June,  1843,  to  June,  1844. 

'  Fromllum'a  Mcrclianu' Mairiizint,  M<i>  No.,  ISIS. 

Price$  of  manufactured   arlicltn   in  the   New-  York   Market  at  different 

periodi. 


imj. 

l!U4. 

ARTICLES. 

OriolH-r. 

Fihruary. 

April  Ji). 

June  M.    1   Sept.  7. 

Cordage,  American,  per  100 

lbs 

$13  00 

$13  00 

$13  00 

$13  00    $13  00 

Cotton  bagging,  Ky.,  per  100 

yds.     .... 

Ifi  00 

10  00 

Ifi  00 

17  00 

17  00 

Lead,  pig,  per  100  lbs. 

3  4.5 

;t  .'>5 

3  30 

3  45 

3  47 

MulaiiHiK,  N.  ().,  per  100  gala. 

27  00 

33  00 

30  00 

31  00 

33  00 

Steel,  per  lOU  lbs.    . 

5  00 

5  00 

5  00 

5  00 

5  00 

Sugar,  N.  O.,  per  100  lbs.    . 

6  87 

7  35 

7  37 

7  25 

7  00 

From  Hunt'n  Mcrclinnia'  Magazine,  Sfplnnilicr  1*19. 
Prieei  of  New  (Meant  Cotton  in  New-  Vurk  for  the  year. 


Onlih.iry  a 

Ml.Ullilii!  a 

Mhlilllni!  lair 

Fully  tiiir 

a... 

Inforiar. 

CiumI  unl  iiry. 

IliunI  Illlil'lIlU 

Gl  a  Gj 

a  lair. 

a  iro'iil  fair. 

September 

5    a5i 

5]  a  « 

7    n    74 

7fa    84 

" 

13.  .  . 

5    a5i 

Siafi 

Gl  a  Gl 

GJa    74 

7}  a    84 

October 

1... 

5    a5i 

55  n  (i 

61  a  GS 

51a    li 

74  a    81 

ti 

14... 

5    a  5\ 

5J  a  ;i; 

G    aGJ 

G4  a    7 

71a    7J 

November 

1... 

4i|  a5 

51  n  53 

5j  a  GJ 

Gl  a    GJ 

7    a    74 

tt 

14... 

4^  a4i 

5J  n  .-.i 

55  a  6 

Gla    63 

6Ja    74 

December 

1... 

.,  a5 

51  a  Ji 

5J  a  Gi! 

GJa    GJ 

7    a    74 

If 

13... 

5    a5h 

5  J  a  5? 

G    a  Gji 

fi4o    7 

71  n    8 

January 

1... 

S^aSi 

G    aO} 

Gi  a  G] 

7    a    74 

7!  a    81 

" 

15... 

, .  a  .  . 

01  a  Ci 

l>]  a  7 

73  a    7} 

8    a    84 

February 

1.  . . 

. .  a  . . 

GJ  a  (;| 

7    a  73 

74  a    8 

81a    8| 

II 

14... 

. .  a  . . 

CJ  a  G} 

7    a  7i 

74  a    i<\ 

84n    9 

March 

1... 

. .  a  . . 

GJaC} 

7    a7i! 

74  a    81 

84  a    9 

II 

14... 

. .  a  . . 

fija7 

71a7i; 

74a    8 

84  a    9 

AprU 

1   .. 

. .  n  . . 

fi3  a  G} 

7    a7i: 

74  a    8 

84  a    9 

« 

18... 

. .  a  . . 

Gl  a  G^ 

fif  a  7i 

71a    7} 

8    a    84 

M«y 

1... 

. .  a  . . 

G3  a  GS 

G5a71 

74  a    8 

81a    m 

« 

15... 

. .  a  .  . 

G.J  a  GJ 

7    a  74 

75  a    81 

84n    9 

Jons 

1... 

. .  a  .  . 

GJ  a  7J 

7i!n7j 

8    a    84 

9    n    94 

« 

18... 

. .  a  . . 

GJa7 

72  a  7i 

8    a    84 

9    a    !)4 

July 

I. . . 

. .  a  .  . 

7    a  71 

7i  a  81 

84  a    81 

94  a  10 

" 

15... 

7    a7i 

7!  a  81 

84a!l 

04  a  10 

...   a  .  , . 

Auqust 

1.. 

7Ja  8 

81;  a  8) 

!)1  a  n! 

10    a  104 

lOj  a  . .  . 

*' 

8... 

8    af>\ 

8Ja9i 

94  a  10 

10^  a  11 

11    a... 

360 


IIISTOKY     OF     TIIK 


compelled  to  have,  he  is  obliged  to  take  less  for  the 
productions  of  his  furiii.  Nor  does  an  increased 
consumption  appear  to  follow  the  passage  of  a  i)ro- 


From  Iluni'n  Merchanu'  Magaiine,  Majr  No.  l^S, 

Prieet  of   United  Statei  produce  in  the  New- York  market,  at  different 

period*. 


Hl,l. 

isu. 

ARTICLES, 

OrldliL-r. 

Fdi.  II. 

April  00 

June  8. 

Sept.  7. 

Cotton,  N.n.,  fair,  |i.  100.  lbs. 

$  8  7.'i 

$10  75 

§  8  «7 

$  8  25 

$  7  50 

FItiiir,  wfstrrn,  bbl. 

4  AO 

4  95 

5  OG 

4  5G 

4  25 

VVbt-nt,  wcslerii,  busli. 

0  iKi 

1  05 

1   13 

0  Uti 

0  U3 

Rye,  hush. 

0  05 

0  70 

0  71 

0  G5 

0  G7 

Corn,  buHii, 

0  52 

0  48 

0  54 

0  47 

0  46 

Bct'f,  iiie.ss,  ppr  bbl. 

6  75 

G  -J5 

G  50 

G  50 

5  75 

Butter,  per  100  Iba. 

14  00 

IG  00 

18  00 

15  00 

11  00 

Chi'ose,  pi-r  100  lbs.     . 

5  50 

5  50 

7  00 

5  50 

5  50 

Tobacco,  Kentucky, 

6  50 

6  50 

G  50 

G  00 

G  00 

From  ilio  New- York  Journal  of  Commorca. 


ARTICLES. 

1840. 

1844. 

Beef,  megs,  per  bl)l 

$14  35 

$5  25 

Beef,  prime,  per  bbl. 

10  00 

3  25 

Pork,  mess,  per  bill.          ....... 

15  00 

8  50 

Butler,  prime,  per  lb. 

0  17 

0  10 

llamsi,  smoked,  per  lb. 

0  lOi 

0  05 

Flour,  per  bbl.,  (Jenesce,              

4  75 

4  50 

Flour,  per  bbl.,  Ohio, 

4  43 

4  37} 

Corn  meni,  per  bbl.              

a  874 

2  00 

VVbcnt,  per  bush. 

1  00 

0  9G 

Corn,  northern,  per  bush.             

0  5G 

0  50 

Cum,  southern,  per  bush 

0  52 

0  47 

From  Ilunl'n  Merchanta'  Magaiine  for  November,  lAlS. 
Prices  of  Cotton  at  Mobile,  in  the  month  of  October,  in  the  following  year$. 


Yenr«. 

io;»G 

1842 
1844 
1845 


Price  iier  lb. 

16    to  20    cents. 

7  J  to    84  cenlfl. 

6    to    8    cents. 

5^  to    6\  cents. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


301 


t^'ctive  turiff*  If  the  sulyect  of  the  cotton  inaiinfuc- 
turen  in  one  of  surpJusHing  interest  to  the  groweit* 
of  cotton  und  gniin,f  their  interests  have  certniiily 
not  been  iucreuHed  })y  the  passage  of  the  taritV  of 
1»4-J. 

The  protection  of  the  American  hil)orer  against 
the  puu|)ei"s  of  Europe,  is  a  subject  of  anxious  care 


Prnm  lluni'i  Merchanu'  Magazine,  April  No.,  If^lfi. 
Pricn  of  Cotton  in  Liverpool  in  1844  and  1845. 

1844. 


Upl«nd,  orillnnry  to  middling, 
F'liir  1(1  kihmI  fnir, 

(Jood  (II  litlK,  .  ,  ,  , 

N>-w  Orl"'«ii)4,  ordinary  to  middling, 

Fnir  to  gw/d  fair, 

(•'"III,         ..... 

Choicir  ninrkii 

Alulioirin,  onlinnry  to  middling, 
Fair  10  i(iKi(l  liiir,  .         . 

Mobile,  ordinary  to  middling. 
Fair  to  |{o<id  fair, 
CiuimI  to  tiiip. 


I'lH 

4i  tu  :> 

5;;  to  54 
:>i  to  5.1 

4i  to  5^ 
S  to  5J 
5J  to  G 
Gj  to  7 
IJ  to  4j 
5  to  5  J 
4i  to  5i 
53  to  5i 
bl  to  G 


1H45. 


.■J4t":i!i 

U  to  4i 
4i  to  5 
:<4  to  4J 
■li  to  4} 
5  to  C,\ 
5}  to  7 

;<   to.ii 

■.i]  to  4} 

.1    to  4 
43  to  4^ 
|4j  to  5} 


Fallen  in  every  iniitancc,  notwithstatiding  the  tarifTof  1842. 


1843. 

1843. 

1845. 

ARTICT.M. 

Cordi  of  wooil  fx-r  annum, 

:i.r,>*o 

;i,(.i)o 

;i.a70 

PouiiiIm  of  cotloM  connuinrd, 

28.764,000 

22,56H,000 

24.12^,000 

Toll"  niiilirnntp  roal  per  annum. 

11,410 

is,:iou 

ia,.wo 

(inlliiiiN  of  oil  p<'r  annum, 

7H,fiH!» 

80,1  H!l 

07 ,8-13 

Coiimifiipiion  of  March,  poundfi  per  annum, 

800.000 

800,000 

800,000 

ConMiiiiptiiin   of  (lour  for  utarnh   in    mills, 

print  worlu,  and  biraching,  barrels  per 

annum, 

4.000 

4,000 

4,000 

Conituniption  of  charcoal,  buaheig  per  ann. 

600,000 

600,000 

600,00 

*  HtfltlHtIrN  of  liowell  manufactured,  compiled  from  authentic  sources 
by  the  (iinnufacliirerH  themitclves,  January  184'J,  '43,  '45. 

t  '^Thc  Ruhject  of  the  cotton  mannfartiires  is  one  of  siirpussing  in- 
tereHt  to  tlm  grower  of  cotton,  the  grower  of  grain,  and  the  ir.'inufacturer 
hinwelf."— .Va/M/rw/  liUelliffencer,  May  'Ibth,  1846. 


"••^■•"'  >f.M,|.  l.l;j.-,4, 
^nsi'^    A]  ..  -„,  i,{.-;7. 


^""'"BPuppn 


iiC,-2 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


witli  those  who  favor  tlie  protective  policy.  Scarce- 
ly is  a  speech  tlelivered,  or  an  editoi'ial  written,  but 
this  mutter  is  referi'ed  to,  always  con|)led  with  the 
assertion,  that  a  high  taritf  enables  the  nianuf'actu- 
I'ers  to  give  increased  wages  to  the  (>peratives ;  and 
'A  ith  more  than  ordinary  conijdacency  have  they 
dwelt  ipon  this  branch  of  the  sulyect.  The  Whig 
])arty  hase  made  much  political  caj)ital  out  of  this 
ai'gunu'iit,  without   l)eing  sustained  by  facts.*     I 

*  !t  will  appear  by  an  examination  of  the  statistics  made  out  in  Janu- 
ary, I8-1'2,  that  the  arne-mt  of  wages  paid  a  month,  was — 

In  January,  1812 $170,000 

In  January,  1843 150,000 

In  January,  1845 138,600 

I^ss  in  1843  than  in  1842 20,000 

Less  in  1846  than  in  1842          .        .        .         .  31,600 

This  is  saving  quite  a  liberal  sum,  especially  when  we  take  into  consi- 
deration tiie  language  of  Mr.  Hudson,  that  the  laborer  "  must  share  with 
his  employer  the  profits  of  the  business  hy  the  increased  rale,  of  his  trnges." 
To  that  operation,  so  interesting  to  the  laborer,  I  come  now  to  remark 
i.pon.    Tiio  average  wages  of  females,  clear  of  board,  per  week,  was — 

In  1842 $2  00 

In  1843 1  '.5 

In  1846 176 

Average  wages  of  ma'es,  clear  of  board,  per  day,  was— ■ 

In  1812 80  cents. 

In  \Hl'i 70  cents. 

In  1845 1,  cents. 


Hero  is  an  illustration,  I  suppose,  of  the  doctrine  of  Mr.  Hudson,  that 
the  iu'ijorer  "  must  siiaro  with  his  emplnvor  in  the  profits  of  the  business 
hy  thf  iticrrasid  rule  of  his  icngrs."  It  was  bad  enough  to  lower  the  wa- 
ges oi'  the  men  10  cents  per  day ;  but  it  was  truly  ungallant  for  the  lords 
of  the  spindle,  who  aro  making  princely  fortunes  out  of  the  lalwr  of  the 
females,  to  strike  down  their  wagei,  from  $2  to  $1  75  per  week.    I  call 


1M>  L  K     A  D  M  I  N  T  S  T  U  A  T  I  O  N  , 


363 


have  taken  the  statistics  funiislicd  by  the  iiiainitae- 
tnrcrs  at  Lowell  tor  tlu;  purpose  of  illustratiiii,'  tlui 
altsunlity  of  tht-  argument  which  hjus  ol»taiu»Ml  so 


pnrliriilur  nltpntioii  to  these  facts,  berniiHe  it  Ims  bcBii  (Icniorl  tliiit  tlio 
wiijjps  of  tlio  females  liuve  lieeii  reduced  «ince  the  pimsugc  of  tlie  UirilTof 
1H4-J. 

But  let  HR  see  if.  while  the  wages  of  the  fcmalos  are  falling  olTiiiHtcad 
of  incioa«iii<j,  Ihry  yxr/iirw  tras  Inliirr, 

In  184ii  tlie  total  number  of  females  employed  at  Lowell  was    7,130 
In  1843 0,375 


More  in  1842  tlmn  in  1843 

Numlwr  of  yards  manufactured  in  1842 
Number  of  yards  manufactured  in  1843 

More  in  1842  than  in  IH43      . 


.     1,055 

73.853,400 
70.275.100 

3,.5"«,OO0 


Although  there  werr  1055  more  females  in  1842  than  in  1843,  yet 
they  manufactured  only  3.578.000  yards  more. 

In  1842  there  were  1110  more  female  operatives  than  in  184.5,  yet 
they  manufactured  2,01!),800  yards  more  in  1H45  than  they  did  in  1842. 

There  were  55  more  fomide  operatives  in  1843  than  in  1845,  yet  they 
manufactured  5.51(7,800  yards  more  in  1845  tlmn  in  1813. 

The  folldwiu}; extract  from  a  letter  to  the  lion.  -Mr.  (Memens,  of  Ala- 
bama, from  Clennnline  Averill,  puhlished  in  the  New  York  Tribune,  of 
March  19,  1850,  shows  that  uiiler  low  duties  the  wages  of  the  operatives 
have  again  increased 


Letter  from  a  Facliinj  (Sir!  lo  Scnnlnr  Clrmcm. 

LowKlx,  Mass.,  Wednesday,  March  6,  1850. 

Mr.  Clemens — Sir :  In  some  of  tlie  late  pa[)erH  I  have  rend  several 
questions  which  you  have  asked  concerning  the  New  Kngland  operatives. 
They  have  been  well  answered,  perhaps,  but  enough  Ims  not  yet  been 
said  ;  and  I  deem  it  proper  that  the  operatives  should  answer  for  tliem- 
selves.  First,  you  wish  to  know  what  pay  we  have  ?  I  will  speak  only 
for  the  girls,  and  tliink  I  am  stating  very  low,  when  I  say  that  we  average 
$2  a  week,  beside  our  board. 

Hundreds  of  girls  in  these  mills  clear  from  $3  to$fi  a  week;  but  some 
who  have  not  been  here  long,  and  are  not  murii  used  to  the  work,  do  not 


)       <M'!W||I 


3fi4 


HISTORY     OF     TUB 


mufh  favor  with  the  whii^  party.  It  sliouhl  not  1)0 
forgotten  tliat  Lowell,  "the  Manc^hester  of  America," 
is  the  largest  nianufiU'tnring  city  in  the  United 
States,  and  thercfon'  no  ohjcction  '-an  be  :nade  to 
the  facts  which  are  adduced,  and  the  deductions 
which  necessarily  f()llow. 

In  every  aspect  in  whidi  the  policy  of  free  trade, 
d^  illustrated  by  the  tariff  of  IHIC),  can  be  viewed, 
it  conuuends  itself  to  thti  fav(jral)le  consideration  of 
the  American  peo])l(;.  It  is  incontestid)ly  true  that 
trade  between  nations,  to  be  extensive,  must  be  be- 
neficial to  both.  A  fair  exchange  of  the  produc- 
tions of  one  foi'  the  other,  can  alone  j)roduce  that 
result.  A  determination  upon  the  part  of  cmic  (iov- 
ei'nment  to  obtain  sjx'cie  in  exchange  for  its  produc- 
tions, will  result  in  diminished  i-es()urc(!s,  and  a  crij> 
pled  connn(,'rce.  Hince  the  estaldishnient  of  liberai 
commercial  relations  between  the  I  jiited  Stated 
and  (ireat  Britain,  the  trade  between  the  two  coun- 
tries has  immeasiH'ably  increased.  While  the  sul> 
jects  of  the  English  (Jovernment  are  enabled  to 
purchase  a  larger  (piantity  of  food,  the  citizens  of 
our  own  country  can  obtain  foi-  a  certain  sum  of 
money  a  greater  amount  of  merchandise.* 

make  quite  $2.  If  my  wiij,'es  iire  ever  reduced  lower  than  that  t  shall 
seek  employment  elsewhere. 

*  "The  British  Empire  took  from  us  (not  diirinj;  the  yeir  of  famine, 
as  it  is  culled,  ol  1847,  but  in  18}8)  our  domorilic  exports,  includinij  cot- 
ton, rice,  tobacco,  bre.idstuil's,  and  proviniouK,  excliisive  of  specie,  to  tlie 
value  of  !ii!78.7ll,4I(!,  and  (ireat  Britain  and  Ireland,  of  the  value  of 
^G4Si-2MS."—Iir]iorl  of  Ih/'  Serntnrij  of  llie  Trmsiinj,  Di'i-rrnlipr  9, 
1848. 

"It  nppear^i  that  for  the  j'oar  eiidinf,' liine  30,1848,  (not  n  famine, 
but  for  abundant  crops  in  Kiirojie,)  our  exports  of  breudstufl's  and  provi- 


Oruaii<i  March  k.lil^^l  < 
lMst«?  Ajj^r*  2?<^  III;! 7 . 


P^illlU'l^Wi^PB'W 


POLK      A  1)  M  I  N  I  B  T  It  A  T  1  O  N  , 


305 


Tlu'tarilVof  1840  was  jmnscd  diirinf^'  tlu*  cxlst- 
piice  ot'u  i\>\v\i^n  war,  when  all  the  icsdurn'M  nf  the 
country  wtTf  r»'i|iiin'(l  tor  its  vif^oiou.s  proscrntion. 
AikI  yet  it  fully  iiu-t  the  exiifctiitioiiH  ainl  n'(|uirt!- 
meiits  of  till'  (iovernmont.  While  the  finaiuiul  re- 
•ulsioiis  in  Krijjflainl  in  1847,  alniont  deHtroyed  the 
pulilic  credit  in  that  country,  the  Itonds  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  were  sold  at  a  preininin.  Not  only  was 
this  ineiusure  of  reform  e(|ual  to  tlie  emergencies 
created  ])y  the  war  with  Mexico,  hut  is  now  advanc- 
ing the  agricultural,  commercial,  and  manufiuturing 
prosperity  of  the  American  confed«'racy.  If  an  ex- 
enij)lifii'atioTi  of  the  advantages  it!sulting  from  frtje- 
doiii  of  trade  were  necessary,  it  can  ))e  witnessed  i  ) 
the  intercliange  of  tin;  productions  of  Wk*/  l)y  the 
several  States.  If  the  result  of  our  domestic  policy 
largely  contrilmtes  to  the  hajijaiies.-;  of  our  citizens 
— if  it  improves  their  social  condition,  and  developes 
the  arts  and  sciences,  why  not  estaldish  a  similar 
system  with  the  rest  of  mankind  ? 

The  attempts  which  had  been  made  l»y  the  de- 
mocratic ])aity  to  effect  a  sei)aration  of  the  (tov- 
ernment  from  hanks,  proved  successful  dining  the 
administration  of  Mr.  I'olk.  In  his  fiist  message  to 
Congress,  he  urged  upon  the  attention  of  that  body 
with  great  f(jrce,  that  measure  of  reftjrm.*     As  an 

gions  amounted  to  the  gum  of  1837,472,7.51,  being  largely  more  than  dniihlc 
the  average  iinniml  ex|)(irt  during  the  turilTof  18 12." — Ihid. 

*  "  Eiitertnining  the  opinion  tiiattlu!  Hopn  itioii  of  the  moneys  of  the 
Government  from  Imnking  :;.-titutionH  is  iiidiHpensahlc  fortlie  safely  of  the 
funds  of  the  fiovcrnnicnt  and  the  riglits  of  the  [wople,  I  recommend  to  Con- 
gress tha*  provision  he  made  by  law  for  .lurh  separation,  t.nd  that  a  roiislitu- 
tional  treasury  be  created  for  tlie  iiafe  keeping  of  the  public  money.  Tiic  con- 


300 


II I  8  T  O  K  V     OF     T  ri  E 


indication  that  the  (leniocratic  j'arty  were  deter- 
niiii('(l  to  make  a  successful  attempt  to  estaldish  a 
treasury,  contemphited  by  the  Constitution,  Mr. 
Droiiigoole,  of  Virginia,  introduced  a  bill  for  that 
])ur[)ost'  on  the  lUth  of  J)ecem1)er,  Hsla.  It  jtassed 
that  body  on  the  2d  of  April,  1840,  by  a  vote  of 
122  to  00.*  It  i)assed  tlu;  Senate,  with  amcnd- 
m«'nts,  on  the  1st  of  August,  by  a  vote  of  28  to  2r), 
which  received  the  sanction  of  the  House  on  the  r>th 
of  that  month,  and  the  bill  was  approved  the  M- 
lowing  day  l)y  the  President. 

By  the  ])rovisions  of  the  Act  which  had  thus  })e- 
come  the  law  of  the  land,  the  mint  at  Philadelphia, 


stitutional  tronwury  recommended  is  designed  as  a  secure  depository  for 
the  )nil)lii',  money,  without  any  power  to  make  loans  or  discounts,  or  to 
i»Hii,' any  paper  whatever  as  a  currency  or  circulation.  I  cannot  doubt 
tiiiit  Hucii  H  treasury  as  was  contemplated  by  the  Constitution,  should  be 
indrpi'ndont  of  all  banking  corporations.  The  money  of  the  people 
Bliould  Ix;  kept  in  the  treasury  of  the  people  created  by  law,  and  be  in  the  cus- 
tody of  agents  of  the  people  chosen  by  themselves,  according  to  the  forins  of 
the  (.'onstitution  ;  agents  who  are  directly  responsible  to  the  f iovernment, 
who  are  under  adequate  bonds  and  oaths,  and  who  are  subject  to  severe 
punishments  for  any  embezzlement,  private  use,  or  misapplication  r,i  the 
public  funds,  and  for  any  failure  in  other  respects  to  perform  their  diitieg. 
To  say  that  the  people  or  their  Government  are  incompetent  or  not  to  Iw 
trusted  with  the  custody  of  their  own  money,  in  their  own  treasury,  pro- 
vided i)y  themselves,  but  must  rely  on  the  presidents,  cashiers,  and  stock- 
holders of  banking  corporations,  not  appointed  l-y  them,  nor  rasptjiisiblc  to 
them,  would  be  to  concede  that  they  ore  incompetent  for  self-governmt  iit. 

"  In  recommending  the  establishment  of  a  constitutional  treasury,  in 
which  the  public  money  shall  be  kept,  I  desire  that  adequate  provision  Iw 
made  by  law  for  its  safety,  and  that  all  Executive  discretion  or  cfniirol 
over  it  shall  be  removed,  except  such  as  may  be  necessary  in  directing  its 
disbursement,  in  pursuance  of  approprintiony  made  by  law." — Ma^snfrf  of 
Mr.  folk  to  Congr'ss,  December,  1845.  Conijresswnal  Globe,  Is/  session 
29//i  Congrrsx,  p.  10. 

f  Cdngressional  Globe,  1st  session  29th  Congress,  p,  596. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


3r.7 


and  tlic  branclu's  of  tliat  cHtalilisliiiicnt  in  the  dif- 
ft'i't'iit  iiortions  of  tin?  Uni(tn,  were  ajipoiiitcd  jdaoes 
for  d('j)ositinj,'  the  revcmio  of  tlu^  riiit»'(l  States. 
The  custom-houses  in  the  cities  of  iNcnv-^'oik  and 
Boston,  were  selected  for  the  same  purpose,  and  all 
moneys  paid  into  tliem  Avere  subject  to  the  draft  of 
the  Tr(!asurer,  drawn  agreeably  to  ap|)ro|)riatioiH 
made  by  law.  The  Treasurer  and  his  assistants,  and 
all  other  pei"sons  haWng  tlu^  custody  of  the  public 
money,  ai'e  retpiired  to  giv<;  bonds  for  its  safe  kee|)- 
ing,  in  large  sums ;  and  if  any  one  of  them  shall  con- 
vert to  his  own  use,  in  any  way  whatevei-,  (»r  shall 
use,  by  way  of  investment  in  any  kind  of  propei-ty 
or  merchandise,  or  shall  loan  with  oi-  without  inter- 
est, or  shall  deposit  in  any  bank,  or  shall  exchange 
for  other  funds,  except  as  allowed  by  the  Act,  any 
portion  of  the  public  moneys  intrusted  to  liim  for 
safe  keeping,  disl)ursement,  tr.'insfer,  or  for  any  other 
purj)ose,  he  shall  be  deemed  and  adjudged  guilty 
of  en>be/zlement.  Such  an  offence  is  dr-cliired  to  be 
a  fehmy,  and  the  punishment  therefor  is  iiii|(iison- 
ment  for  a  term  not  less  than  six  months,  nor  more 
than  ten  years,  and  a  fine  equal  to  tlu^  amount  of  the 
money  end)ezzled.*  Any  failure  to  pay  over  or  to  [)r()- 
duce  the  moneys  intrusted  to  public  officers,  is  held 
and  taken  to  he prinw  facie  cA-idence  of  embe/zlement. 
By  a  careful  examiiuition  of  this  law,  it  will  Ik; 
Been  that  every  effort  was  emjiloyed  to  insuie  the 
safe-keeping  and  dislmi-sement  of  the  revenue,  and 
no  man  can  })e  guilty  of  peculation  without  being 
liable  to  sevens  jmnishment.f 

*  Seo  Lawi.  of  the  United  States,  niililisliod  by  Little  &  Brown. 

f  "  But  what  was  the  evil  which  U'ls  act  was  intended  to  remedy? 


TASl'l    Hi    I.DUIARV 


308 


IIIHTOny     OF     THE 


It  wan  f'vidifiitly  the  intt'iition  of  the  fraiiu'i*8  of 
the  Constitution,  that  tlu'  revi'imcs  of  tin*  country 
Hhould  l»(;  colhtctcd  hy,  and  ki'j)!  iiiider  the  control 
of  oilicern,  u]»jM>int«'d  l)y  and  ininiediately  under  the 

Iliiil  dot  llii-  ri'vf'iiiin  lippn  well  colloctpd,  sftfely  kept,  Kiifely  niul  oiiKily 
triiiii'liTrwl,  mill  prurnptly  iiiiil  rnadily  diHbiirHcd  1  llnd  there  been  any 
coiiipluint  njfiiiiiht  the  Hynteiii  now  in  operation  1  Wus  it  not  nil  excellent 
ByHti-ni,  a»  (iir  nn  «ifety,  convenience,  public  accummixlntion,  and  private 
accoiiiiri'Mlation  were  ronrerne<l  ?  IIo  tlioiifrht  that  if  any  |)erKon  having 
any  conneriton  with  the  adrriiniHtration  of  the  revenue  were  asked,  they 
would  fay  iliiit  if  worke<l  ((erfertly  well.  What  were  the  ^eat  cvIIh  to  be 
reined iiil  .'  Could  any  Uxly  |K)int  Ihem  out  ?  And  was  this  n  tiint;  for 
making  ex(KTiiiiental  <linn(;eM  7  Would  it  not  be  better  to  postpone  Huch 
exix'rinii'ipii-  uiild  a  tune  of  pence  ?  The  Senator  from  South  ('arolina 
[Mr.  Calhoun.)  yi'»terday  iiiHinted  that  it  wn.s  desirable  to  miti^itc  the  em- 
barmxMiicnt)!  which  muMi  neceHsarily  be  felt  in  the  removal  of  large 
amoiintH  of  uptjcin  frmn  one  place  to  another,  and  in  doinjf  so  the  Senator 
[lud  (fivcn  the  very  NtrongcHt  rcniion  a);ainst  this  bill.  It  would  lie  difficult 
to  adduce  a  more  fnrcibln  argument  nf^ainnt  the  bill  than  the  honorable 
Sciiafor  had  uncd  in  ndvocatiiiff  the  amendment.  One  tliiiifj  which  struck 
him  very  forcibly  wnH  the  iiiconj/ruity,  the  inconsistency  of  the  legislation 
which  they  were  pursuing.  Two  or  tliree  days  ago  tliey  had  passed  an 
ael  re|M>aliii(r  the  farifT  of  18t2,  and  substituting  a  now  principle  ;  and  tlie 
argumeiif  in  favrir  of  the  hill  was,  that  it  would  increase  the  imp<irtafion 
of  fori'ijrii  productions,  and  fh'Tcby  increase  the  revenue.  But  when  a 
bill  like  the  present,  for  the  estjiblisiiment  of  the  siilj-treasury  .-iystein,  was 
before  f,'oti(frcs»  in  1840,  the  argument — the  great  and  principal  argu- 
ment— then  urged  by  the  friends  of  the  mcasiiro  was,  that  it  would  re- 
strict and  limit  the  amount  of  imports ;  that  it  would  arrest  the  excessive 
introduction  of  foreign  merchandise ;  and  that  it  would  check  and  prevent 
the  evil  of  till  overllowing  treasury.  T'le  sub-treasury  was  then  vindica- 
tfd  because  it  would  repress  and  keep  down  importation.  Two  or  three 
days  ago  a  bill  was  passed  to  increase  importations  ;  to-day  a  bill  was  to 
be  paswMl  fo  chci  k  and  keep  down  importation.  The  two  measures  mu»t 
corne  into  conflicl ;  they  could  not  be  reconciled.  If  the  only  effect  of 
tiiis  bill  would  lie  to  check  (excessive  importations,  he  would  hav(  no  ob- 
jection to  it,  hut  it  extended  lieyond  this  ;  it  would  also  check  and  keep 
down  all  the  biiHiness  operations  of  the  country.  For  the  very  same  rea- 
son that  it  would  restrict  imports  and  cut  down  comiflerce,  it  \\oiild  cut 
down  every  iliini;  eln-.  They  were  embarrassing  their  prospects  ond 
meana  of  revenue  at  a  time  wisen  it  became  necessary  for  the  Govern- 


POLK     A  D  M  I  N  I  S  T  n  A  T I O  X  . 


309 


fontrol  (tf  the  (Jovernmi'iit.*  Laiii^iiii<;»'  could  not 
l)f  iiii>r«'  (h'Hiiitc  tliiui  that  ciajjloycd  In  tVaniin<(  the 
CoiiJ^titution.     Every  woi'd  w»w  carefully  examined, 


rrirtii  I'l  ii!<e  iU  rrodit,  and  t(i  borrow  money  to  carry  on  it»  oppralioiix." — 
Sifirh  III'  Mr.  I'lans,  in  the  Similr,  July  31s/,  18-10.  Coit/fri'iiumal 
litiilir.  If/  netsimt  '2dlk  dmffress,  p.  1172. 

"  f 'iinfiniiij;  my  remarks  ultnfrpthor  to  the  characlcr  of  tliiri  bill,  ron- 
didpff <l  ii!-  nn  adiiiinistrulidii  mensiirc.  I  proceed,  on  the  otiier  hand,  to 
wmfider  what  will  be  the  dit>advi.ntn(jes  to  the  (Jovcmment  fnim  its  lie- 
r<Kiiini;  a  law.  1  );o  on  the  supposition  that  tlie  bill  is  to  Ik;  executed,  .ot 
evaded ;  and  I  say  that,  if  the  s|)ecic  payiiieiitB  which  it  enjoins  art  re- 
quired linriii  fiilr,  it  will  operate  as  a  great  embarrassment  to  the  (Joveri  - 
mcnt,  should  it  be  brought  into  circnmstances  when  it  would  be  necessary 
to  nejjoliato  a  loan.  There  is  authority  for  a  Iomi  now,  and  the  (iovern- 
n»*nt  has  its  option  between  such  a  measure  and  the  issue  of  treasury 
nxtrff.  But  if  this  law  shall  be  carried  out,  no  loan  will  be  possible.  And 
why  not  ?  necausc  the  law  will  demand  that  eight  or  ten  millions  of  dol- 
lars in  hard  s[)ecio  shall  be  withdrawn  from  all  the  purposes  of  society, 
some  four  or  five  millions  of  it  being  locked  up  in  (lovernrnent  chests  and 
vaults,  and  some  four  or  five  millions  more  being  constantly  in  transition, 
an  the  expenses  of  the  (iovernment  may  reipiire.  Then,  if  the  Govern- 
ment wants  a  loan,  how  is  it  lo  l)e  got  '  The  practical  mode  at  pre«ent 
pursued  is  this :  some  tari."'  luiiiking-house  tikes,  for  example,  two  inil- 
iiinio  of  the  (iovernmeiif  loan.  But  iJii"  man  cannot  advance  the  cash  till 
he  find-  Iwnks  who  are  willing  to  taki  tlie  United  .Slates  stock,  and  ad- 
vance him  a  temporary  loan  upon  it,  until,  to  use  the  business  phrase,  he 
thall  be  able  to  '  place  the  money  ;'  that  is,  shall  be  able  to  find  p^Ti-ons 
who  will  take  the  stock  with  a  view  to  hold  it  and  receive  interest  upm  it. 
This  IS  the  niodo  now  pursued  ;  but  what  will  be  the  coiiditinn  of  the  banks 
w'lo  (nay  Ix"  asked  by  him  to  udvui.-e  tnoney  iii»on  stock  after  this  bill 
sImII  have  become  a  law  7  IIow  can  they  pnnsibiv  do  it  ?  The  sum  they 
•«f('e  lo  advance  must  be  paid  in  gold  atid  silver,  uken  at  the  instant  out 
of  (heir  o\Mi  vaults,  and  carrii'd  across  the  street  lo  be  locked  up  in  the 
vault:'  ijf  i^onie  (invernnieiit  depository.  If  the  bullion  remiiined  with  the 
banks,  and  u  credit  on  their  books  was  all  that  was  rc<|uired,  then  they 


*  "  No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  treasury  but  in  consequence  of 
approprial inns  made  by  law  :  and  a  regular  statement  and  account  of  the 
receipts  and  expenditures  of  ,ill  public  money  r.lmll  b(>  published  from  time 
to  time." — Vmnitutivn  of  (/t?  Untied  Utates,  art.  1,  sec.  9, 

S4 


mm 


mtmrn 


870 


JUSTOKV      or     THE 


that  it  might  correctly  (U'fiiH!  tlie  meuning  of  the 
convention.  The  idea  could  not  In-  more  exi»licitly 
given  than  in  the  declaration,  that  a  treasury  shall 
lie  estal»li.shed,  and  no  money  drawn  therefrom,  but 
in  consequence  of  appropriations  made  l»y  law. 
How  then  can  it  l)e  asserted  that  money  placed  in 
the  treasuiy,  can  be  used  in  any  wa}'  until  it  is  ta- 
ken therefrom  by  being  appropriated  to  the  public 
service  ?  That  this  waa  the  intention  of  the  framei-s 
of  the  Constitution,  is  evident  from  the  passage  of 
the  law  of  1789,  establishing  the  treasury  de])art- 
ment.*     After  jn-oviding  in  section  4  that  the  mo- 

mig}it  do  it ;  but  the  specie  is  instantly  called  for,  and  is  so  niucli  deducted 
from  the  basis  of  their  circulation.  Their  customers  will  not  agree  to  it  f 
tlioir  directors  will  not  agree  to  it ;  their  stockholders  will  not  iigree  to  it. 
I  say,  therefore,  if  this  law  is  not  evaded,  but  is  obeyed  btmafuh;  any  con- 
traction of  a  Government  loan  must  be  out  of  the  question.  I  put  that 
fact  to  any  man  acquainted  with  business,  and  ask  if  he  can  gainsay  it  ?" 
— Speech  of  Mr,  Wchsler  in  the  Senate,  Aiiiiiisl  1st,  1846.  Cungres- 
sional  Globe,  1st  session  29/ft  Congress,  p.  1174. 

"  Mr.  Crittenden  said  that  this  sub-treasury  scheme  was  an  old  ac- 
quaintance in  the  Senate.  The  principle,  that  the  Government  must  take 
care  of  itself,  and  leave  the  people  to  take  care  of  themselves,  liad  been 
announced  a  pood  while  ago,  and  that  was  precisely  the  principle  of  this 
bill.  The  ma.xim,  in  political  economy,  had  been  laid  down  by  the  Presi- 
dent, who  first  introduced  this  notable  plan.  lie  said  that  the  people  were 
in  the  habit  of  expecting  too  much  from  the  Government ;  that  it  was  the 
duty  of  the  Government  to  take  care  of  itself,  and  that  the  people  must 
take  care  of  themselves.  This  maxim  had  introduced  the  old  sulvtreasury 
bill,  and  after  a  severe  struggle  that  bill  became  a  law.  And  what  was 
the  consequence  ?  The  people,  feeling  its  practical  effect,  adopted  a  mode 
of  tfiking  care  of  themselves,  which  was  the  most  effrctuiil  that  could 
have  been  devised.  They  turned  out  the  whole  administnitioii  from  the 
President  downward." — Speech  of  Mr.  Criiletulcn  in  thr.  Senate.  August 
l.s<,  1846.     Congressional  Glolie,]  at  session  \19ih  Congress,]}.  1176. 

*  "  Sec.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  siiall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Treasurer  to  receive  and  keep  the  nioni'ys  of  the  United  States,  and  to 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


371 


ncy  .should  ]»e  received  and  kopt  in  the  ti-ennury, 
and  (h'fininf^  the  mode  in  which  it  should  be  paid 
out,  they  enaeted  in  section  8  that  no  pei-son  ajh 
jxtinted  to  office  under  that  ]>ill  should,  directly  or 
indirectly,  1)(!  concerned  or  interested  in  carr\iiig 
on  the  ])usiiiess  of  trade  or  commerce,  or  jiurchase 
or  dispose  of  any  i)ul>lic  securities  of  any  State  or 
of  the  United  States,  ifec. 

Althoiij^'h  by  the  provisions  of  that  bill,  the  public 
money  of  the  Tnited  States  was  ])laced  under  the 
control  of  government  officei-s,  still  the  j)roper  guards 
were  not  employed  to  j)revent  its  use,  or  to  jtunish 
the  offender  who  might  be  guilty  of  defalcati(»n. 

di^biiriiQ  the  same  upon  warrants  drawn  by  llic  Socrotary  of  the  Treasury, 
coiintersiirned  by  the  Coiiiptroller,  recorded  by  the  Rejjister,  and  not  oth- 
erwise ,  he  shall  take  receipts  for  all  moneys  paid  by  him,  and  all  receipts 
for  moneys  received  by  him  shall  k'  endorsed  upon  warrants  sif;ned  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  without  which  warrant,  so  sifrncd,  no  acknow- 
Icdfrment  for  money  received  into  the  public  treasury  shall  be  valid." 

"  Sec.  8.  Ami  be  it  further  enacled,  That  no  person  appointed  to  any  of- 
fice instituted  by  this  act,  siiatl  directly  or  indirectly  be  concerned  or  inter- 
ested in  carrying  on  the  business  of  trade  or  commerce,  or  be  owner  in 
whole  or  in  part  of  any  sea  vessel,  or  purchase  by  himself,  or  another  in 
trust  for  him,  any  public  lands,  or  other  public  property,  or  bo  concerned 
in  the  purchase  or  di.-^posal  of  any  public  securities  of  any  Slate  or  of  the 
United  States,  or  take  or  apply  to  his  own  use,  any  emolument  or  gain  for 
nefrotiatinp  or  trausactinp  any  business  in  the  said  department,  other  than 
what  shall  he  allowed  by  law  ;  and  if  any  person  shall  offend  again.st  any 
of  the  prohibitions  of  this  act,  he  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  high  misde- 
meanor, and  forfeit  to  the  United  States  the  penalty  of  three  thousand 
dollars,  and  shall  upon  conviction  be  removed  from  office,  and  forever 
thereafter  incapable  of  holding  any  office  under  the  United  States.  Pro- 
xiih'd.  That  if  any  other  person  than  a  public  prosecutor  shall  give  infor- 
mation of  any  such  offence,  upon  which  a  prosecution  and  conviction  shall 
be  had,  one  half  the  aforesaid  |)enalty  of  three  thousand  dollars,  when  re- 
covered, shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  person  i^iving  such  informutiim."  Ap- 
proved, September  2,  1789. — haws  <>J  the  United  States,  by  Little  4- 
Brfiwn,  vol.  1,  p.  67. 


872 


HISTORY     OK     THE 


The  statt'siiu'ii  who  drew  u]>  the  Coiistitutum  of 
the  United  Stutes,  and  whose  ehm-aeter  for  jtatriot- 
iwm  and  talents  proeui-ial  its  adoption  l»y  the  peopK', 
so  far  from  eonteinplatinj^  the  «Mn)»h»ynjent  of  l>anks, 
as  depositories,  on  the  collectiou  of  the  revenue  in 
papei-  money,  elearly  and  explicitly  proclaimed  their 
opposition  to  such  a  coui"s«!.  During  the  long  strug- 
gle which  resulted  in  the  separation  (»f  the  (rovern- 
ment  from  banks,  the  whig  party  often  achieved 
political  triumphs  l»y  using  the  argument  that  the 
democracy  advocated  one  kind  of  currency  for  (lov- 
ernment,  and  another  for  the  pe(»j)le.  With  those 
who  did  not  understand  tlie  sopliistry  upon  which 
such  an  argument  is  based,  it  had  great  influence, 
and  often  induced  large  masses  to  i-ally  under  the 
banner  of  the  whig  fjarty.  The  estal)lishnu'nt  of  a 
Liw  which  enforces  the  collection  of  the  ])ublic  dues 
in  gold  and  silver,  emphjys  the  agency  of  the  oidy 
constitutional  cui'reiicy.  If  the  people  have  esta- 
blished banks,  which  gives  them  only  the  represen- 
tative of  money,  and  consequently  that  which  is  in- 
ferior, it  surely  is  not  the  fault  of  the  General  Gov- 
ernment. The  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
confers  upon  Congress  the  power  to  coin  money,  re- 
gulate the  value  thereof,  and  of  foreign  coin,  and  fix 
the  standard  of  weights  and  measures.  Coupling 
the  power  to  coin  money,  and  to  regulate  its  value, 
with  the  authority  to  fix  the  standard  of  weights 
and  measures,  incontestably  proves  that  both  were 
to  be  uniform  throughout  the  Union.  The  only 
money  power  given  to  Congress  })y  that  instrument, 
is  to  coin  it  and  regulate  the  value  thereof,  and  of 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


373 


foreign  coin,  luid  the  f'uilure  to  ennnu'iatu  more  ex- 
tensive authority,  is  just  as  alwolutea  proliihition  aa 
tliouj^h  it  had  Ihmmi  exjtrcssly  stated.  liut  we  are 
not  left  to  eoiijefture  ui»()n  so  iiii|»ortaiit  a  sulji-et. 
In  a  draft  of  a  constitution  sul»niitted  b}  Mr.  Ilut- 
h-l,L,'e  tus  a  report  from  th«'  eoniniitte»!  of  detail,  there 
wiis  a  clause  authorizing  ('(»ngresH  to  emit  hills  of 
credit.*  When  that  was  under  discussion,  the  olj- 
jeetion  was  distinctly  talvt'ii,  that  hy  strikinj^  out 
the  el  use,  it  would  elVectually  bar  the  door  against 
paper  money,  and  that  it  would  have  a  most  salu- 
tary influence  on  tlie  credit  of  the  United  States,  to 
remove  the  j)ossil»ility  of  a  resort  to  that  sjiecies  of 
currency.  The  clause  was  rejected  by  a  vote  of 
nine  States  against  two.f 


•  Spe  Miidison  I'iiiht;).  (■nntaiiiiii^  Dobntcg  in  the  Convention  which 
franuHl  tlie  (-Vmstitiitinn,  378. 

f  "  Mr.  (loiivprnour  Morris  moved  to  strilte  out, '  and  emit  bills  on 
the  credit  of  the  Unil"d  Slates.'  If  the  United  States  had  credit,  such 
bills  would  be  unnecessary  ;  if  they  had  not,  unjust  and  useless. 

"  Mr.  Biitler  seconds  the  motion. 

"  Mr.  Madison.  Will  it  not  be  sufficient  to  prohibit  the  making  them 
ti  tender?  This  will  remove  the  temptation  to  emit  them  with  unjust 
views  ;  and  promissory  notes,  in  that  shape,  may  in  some  emergencies 
he  best. 

"  Mr.  Gouvernenr  Morris,  iritiihin;^  out  the  words  will  leave  room 
still  for  notes  of  a  resimnsihh  niiiister,  'Ahich  will  do  nil  the  good  without 
the  mischief.  The  moneyed  in  "Pi'<t  wi'l  oppose  the  plan  of  Government 
if  paper  emissions  be  not  prohibini. 

"  Mr.  Gorham  was  for  Btriking  diil  without  inserting  any  prohibition. 
If  the  words  stjind,  they  may  suggest  and  lead  to  the  measure. 

"  Mr.  Mason  had  doubts  on  the  subject.  Congress,  he  thought, 
would  not  have  the  power,  unless  it  were  expressed.  Though  he  had  a 
mortal  hatred  to  paper  money,  yet,  as  he  could  not  foresee  nil  emergencies, 
he  was  unwilling  to  tie  the  hands  of  the  legislator.  He  observed  that  the 
late  war  could  not  have  been  carried  on,  bad  such  a  prohibition  e.xisti'd. 

"  Mr.  Gorbain.  The  power,  as  far  as  it  will  be  necessary  or  safe, 
is  involved  in  that  of  borrowing. 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STRf  ET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)873-4503 


'■.* 


374 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


When  the  Convention  so  decidedly  and  clearly 
defined  the  power  of  Congress  upon  this  (question, 
*hat  justice  is  there   in  the  complaint  that   the 

"  Mr.  Mercer  was  a  friend  to  paper  money,  though  in  the  present 
state  and  temper  of  America,  he  should  neither  propose  nor  approve  of 
such  a  measure.  He  was  consequently  opposed  to  a  prohibition  of  it  al- 
together. It  will  stamp  suspicion  on  the  Government,  to  deny  it  a  discre- 
tion on  this  point.  It  was  impolitic,  also,  to  excite  the  opposition  of  all 
those  who  were  friends  to  paper  money.  The  people  of  property  would 
be  sure  to  be  on  the  side  of  the  plan,  and  it  was  impolitic  to  purchase 
their  further  attachment  with  the  loss  of  the  opposite  class  of  citizens. 

"  Mr.  Ellsworth  thought  this  a  favorable  moment  to  shut  and  bar  the 
door  against  paper  money.  The  mischiefs  of  the  various  experiments 
which  had  been  made  were  now  fresh  in  the  public  mind,  and  had  excited 
the  disgust  of  all  the  respectable  part  of  America.  By  withholding  the 
power  from  the  new  Government,  more  friends  of  influence  would  be 
gained  to  it  than  by  almost  any  thing  else.  Paper  money  can  in  no  case 
be  necessary.  Give  the  Government  credit,  and  other  resources  will 
offer.    The  power  may  do  harm,  never  good. 

"  Mr.  Randolph,  notwithstanding  his  antipathy  to  paper  money,  could 
not  agree  to  strike  out  the  words,  as  he  could  not  foresee  all  the  occasions 
that  might  arise. 

"  Mr.  Wilson.  It  will  have  a  most  salutary  influence  on  the  credit  of 
the  United  States,  to  remove  the  possibility  of  paper  money.  This  expe- 
dient con  never  succeed  whilst  is  mischiefs  are  remembered  ;  and  as  long 
as  it  can  be  resorted  to,  it  will  be  a  bar  to  other  resources. 

"  .Mr.  Butler  remarked,  that  paper  was  a  legal  tender  in  no  country 
in  Europe.  He  was  urgent  for  disarming  the  Government  of  such  a 
power. 

"  Mr.  Mason  was  still  averse  to  tying  the  hands  of  the  Legislature 
ahof;elhfr.  If  there  was  no  example  in  Europe,  as  just  remarked,  it  might 
be  observed,  on  the  other  side,  that  there  was  none  in  which  the  Govern- 
ment was  restrained  on  this  head. 

"  Mr.  Reed  thought  the  words,  if  not  struck  out,  would  be  as  alarm- 
ing as  the  mark  of  the  beast  in  Revelation. 

"  Mr.  Ijangdon  had  rather  reject  the  whole  plan,  than  retain  the  three 
words,  *  and  emit  bills.' 

"  On  the  motion  for  striking  out, — 

"New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  Pennsylvania,  Dela- 
ware. Virgiiiiii,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia — ay,  9 ;  New 
Jersey,  Maryland — no,  2." — Ibixi.  435. 


mmmmm 


"'f,. 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION, 


375 


constitutional  treasury  creates  one  kind  of  cui'- 
rency  for  the  people,  and  another  for  the  Govern- 
ment ? 

The  men  of  the  Revolution  understood  that  the 
Constitution  had  confined  the  power  of  Congi-ess  to 
the  coining  of  money,  and  regiilating  the  value 
thereof,  and  of  foreign  coin,  and  did  not  desire  the 
agency  of  paper  money  to  be  employed  by  the  Gov- 
ernment. Tlie  Act  of  July  31st,  1789,  declared  that 
duties  should  be  received  in  gold  and  silver  coin 
only* 

When  the  language  of  the  Constitution  upon 
this  point  was  so  exphcit,  and  the  second  Act  which 
was  passed  imposing  duties  upon  foreign  imports 
after  the  adoption  of  that  instrument  conformed  so 
strictly  to  its  provisions,  how  did  the  General  Gov- 
ernment glide  off  at  once  into  a  paper  money  cur- 
rency? This  question  can  easily  be  answered. 
Alexander  Hamilton  was  selected  by  General  Wash- 
ington to  preside  over  the  Treasury  Department. 
Although  his  patriotism  was  undoubted,  and  his 
hatred  of  tyranny  had  been  exemi)lified  upon  many 
a  bloody  field,  still  he  had  not  that  confidence  in 
the  capacity  of  the  people  for  self-government, 
which  was  entertained  by  his  great  rival,  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson. Although  his  mind  possessed  a  comprehen- 
siveness which  enabled  him  to  master  the  details  of 
a  question  with  great  facility,  still  his  appointment 
by  General  Washington  as  a  member  of  his  Cabinet, 

♦  "  The  duties  and  fees  to  be  collected  by  virtue  of  this  Act,  shall  be  re- 
ceived in  gold  and  silver  coin  only." — Act  of  July  31.s/,  1789,  srclwn  30, 
vol.  1,  nf  Little  cf-  Brown's  United  Slates  Statutes  at  large,  p.  45. 


■v^ 


376 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


has  ever  been  regarded  as  peculiarly  unfortunate  by 
the  advocates  of  a  strict  construction  of  the  Consti- 
tution. The  fii-st  President  of  the  United  States 
had  almost  unbounded  confidence  in  the  opinions 
of  General  Hamilton,  and  was  induced,  through  his 
influence,  to  yield  his  approbation  to  many  ques- 
tions of  doubtful  policy. 

Mr.  Hamilton  was  the  sole  representative  of  the 
State  of  New- York  in  the  Convention  which  framed 
the  Constitution,  and  would  undoubtedly  have 
caused  that  instrument  to  grant  more  enlarged  pow- 
ers to  the  General  Government,  if  it  had  not  been  for 
the  sound  rejniblicanism  of  James  Wilson,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Mr.  Madison.  To  the  former  gentle- 
man, more  than  to  any  other  member  of  that  body, 
are  we  indebted  for  the  admirable  checks  and  bal- 
ances which  characterize  that  celebrated  compact. 
The  impress  of  his  sound,  enlightened,  and  truly 
republican  mind,  can  be  found  in  every  line. 

When  the  vote  was  taken  to  strike  out  the  words 
"  and  emit  bills  of  credit"  from  the  draft  of  the  Con- 
stitution Avhich  had  been  submitted  for  the  conside- 
ration of  the  Convention,  the  result  was  conclusive, 
nine  States  voting  in  the  affirmative,  and  two  only 
in  the  negative.* 

The  vote  of  New- York  was  not  cast  by  Mr. 
Hamilton,  but  it  can  be  easily  conceived,  if  we  may 
form  an  opinion  from  the  policy  which  he  suljse- 
quently  advocated,  that  the  vote  of  New- York,  if 
given  at  all,  would  have  been  in  the  negative.  Tlie 
errors  which  he  committed  as  a  statesman  were,  by 

*  See  Madison  Papers,  revised  by  Jonathan  Elliot,  p.  436. 


^ 


w^^m 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


•»77 


incTilcating  the  doctrine  that  the  niawse*  Kb'.»wll<J  fte 
controlled  by  political  machines,  and  v.ht-v  itftiaift 
conld  not  be  done  by  conforming  to  the  j>l»iliAi  fv^' 
fjnirements  of  the  Constitution,  in  resoi-tm^  t-,!,*  ll^it^ 
tndinarian  construction  of  that  instrument,  %<j  mm;m' 
plinh  his  views.  As  an  illustration  of  ih^  -Htj^cr' 
ment,  it  is  only  necessary  to  examine  hi*»  c<,iiii»*fliiiw?v- 
tion  of  the  Act  of  July  31st,  1789*  The  laat^iw^ififft 
of  that  bill  was  positive,  and  pro\'ided  that  ih^  cliiV' 
ties  should  be  received  in  gold  and  sil\er  coiu  <(m^\:f 

*  This  section  (the  30th  of  the  Act  of  1789)  provides  tor  tlitifwrt)}? 
of  the  unties  in  gold  and  silver  coin  only.  The  Secretary  llu^  <jw>rirfi»t«dl 
this  provision  as  having  for  its  object,  the  exclusion  of  pa\ mwtU-  »(i  t^n 
paper  emissions  of  the  particular  States,  and  the  securing  tlic  mmnrt'ittf* 
or  ultimate  collection  of  the  duties  in  specie,  as  intended  to  prohiltii  M'  itv 
dividnals  the  right  of  paying  in  any  thing  except  gold  and  silver  «)i\i,.  \\t\^ 
not  to  hinder  the  Treasury  from  making  such  arraiigemenli^  iu-  iu-  ♦♦^in'ti"- 
eies,  the  speedy  command  of  the  public  resources,  and  the  cunvHtmncJ*-  <^ 
the  community  might  dictate  ;  these  arrangements  being  coiiipatilli>' \\»it1v 
fh<»  eventual  receipt  of  the  duties  in  specie.  For  instance,  the  SmuttUvfy 
did  not  imagine  that  the  provision  ought  to  be  so  understood  at  iv  jKnwnf, 
if  necessary,  an  anticipation  of  the  duties  by  treasury  drati^  nictiivtcjrt  af 
the  several  custom-houses.  And,  if  it  ought  not  to  be  underdio«<'  ui  tJii* 
sense,  it  appeared  to  him  that  the  principle  of  a  different  cuiwVu'rtmf 
would  extend  to  the  permitting  the  receipt  of  the  notes  of  pulilic  'l(m(J«;, 
iosned  on  a  specie  fund.  ******  Such  were  tii  rntl»«f,nrti» 
of  the  Secretary  with  regard  to  the  authority  to  permit  bank  imUu-  'W  iwt 
token  in  payment  of  the  duties.  The  expediency  of  doing  it  i\)i\it:i\<>ti  ^ 
him  to  be  still  less  questionable.  The  extension  of  their  circuliiturti  tiy 
(he  measure  is  calculated  to  increase  both  the  ability  and  the  iiHthtitrti\n> 
of  the  hanks  to  aid  the  Government.  It  also  accelerates  the  couiumut'  ^f 
the  product  of  the  revenues  for  the  public  service,  and  it  fuclliliil>»  tii* 
pnyment  of  the  duties,"  &c. — Repnrt  of  Mr.  Hamillon  to  Vinifintit. 

t  "  Sec.  ,30.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  dutiw  iui<l  ;lii«t  ftv 
he  eollerted  by  virtue  of  thia  act,  shall  be  received  in  gold  and  eXWa^f  i*(\\v^ 
only,  f.t  the  following  rates,  that  is  tosny,  the  gold  coiuK  of  Krauoi .  iKu^ 
land.  Spain  and  Portugal,  and  all  other  gold  coin  of  e(|ual  tiiinii<tf«-  tf 
wofhty-nine  cents  for  every  pennyweight.  The  Mexican  dollar  it»  is^pe 
hundred  cents ;  the  crown  of  France  at  one  dollar  and  eleven  vM\\\t;.  r^iir 


'M 


iTASPKR   J.IJillAl 


378 


n I H T o j: V    OF    the 


and  proceeded  to  regulat<i  tli<;  valtie  of  foreign  coin 
wliich  might  be  paid  into  tli«r  tn-n.^ury  for  the  jmb- 
lic  diu'!5.  It  was  n<jt  within  th»;  scope  of  the  Eng- 
lish languiige  to  niak<;  the  claiW4;  more  definite,  and 
yet  Air.  Hamilton  coiihtrued  it  to  rn<;an  the  exclasion 
of  the  paper  emiK«ion>»  of  juirtirnilar  States,  but  as 
not  ])reventing  him  fi'onj  anti(;ipatirig  the  duties  by 
treasury  drafts,  receival>h;  at  the  several  custom- 
houses. If  that  courw?  wa>»  jaitifial)le,  he  argued 
that  the  principle  would  aathon»;  the  receij)t  of  the 
notes  of  public  }>ankK,  muM  on  a  specie  fund. 
The  history  of  our  wjuntry  thu^  nf>t  funiish  an  in- 
stance of  a  bolder  violation  of  a  law  of  the  land,  than 
the  course  pureued  by  Mr,  llauiVi'>n.  The  Congress 
to  whom  the  report  wa>^  inad«f  numbered  but  a  few 
repultlican  members,  and  the  federalists  received  it 
without  a  word  of  diwH-nt,  It  wan  the  same  Con- 
gress that  chaitered  tlie  first  bank  of  the  United 
States,  and  those  jjersons  who  could  establish  an  in- 
stitution of  that  kind,  with  Knglish  stockholders  to 
jilunder  the  peoj)le  by  making  tm;  (>f  thi:  credit  and 
revenues  of  the  countr}',  would  not  ]Hi  likely  to  cen- 
sure the  loose  construction  j>L'w;ed  n[K>n  a  law,  by 
one  whom  they  held  in  »«uch  high  estimation  as 
Alexander  Hamilton,  Th<;  fatal  jjrecedent  was  es- 
tal)lished  from  which  liave  flowed  the  most  disas- 
trous consequences. 

Move  that  fifty  years  elajiwrd,  and  still  the  Gov- 
ernment was  not  separat<;d  from  )>anking  institu- 

crown  of  England  at  one  dollar  and  ifUn-itt  ffmlM ;  and  all  silver  coins  of 
equal  fineness  at  one  dollar  and  c'k't«Yi  txtAn  per  ounce." — Act  of  1789, 
Little  and  Brown,  vol.  1,  p.  46. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


379 


tions,  and  that  which  had  excited  the  disgust 
of  all  under  the  articles  of  confederation,  had,  in 
1830,  acquu'ed  a  power  and  influence  which  over- 
come all  opposition.  In  1836,  Mr.  Benton  intro- 
duced a  bill  into  the  Senate  to  re-establish  the  cur- 
rency for  the  Federal  Government,  and  although  its 
provisions  did  not  go  to  the  extent  of  the  constitu- 
tional treasury  bill,  which  was  enacted  ten  years 
after,  still  the  only  supporter  it  had  in  that  body 
was  its  author.  To  save  his  feelings  from  being 
wounded  by  a  regular  vote  upon  it,  Mr.  Buchanan 
urged  him  to  consent  to  have  it  laid  upon  the  table. 
Mr.  Wright,  another  friend,  made  the  motion,  and 
although  a  disposition  was  manifested  to  reject  the 
bill  by  a  decisive  vote,  they,  nevertheless,  suffered 
it  to  go  quietly  to  the  table.*  ' 

It  is  a  subject  of  painful  interest  to  contemplate 
the  years  of  gloom  and  disaster,  which  followed  the 
surrender  of  the  funds  of  the  Government  to  paper 
institutions.  The  Bank  of  the  United  States,  with 
its  power  to  control  legislation,  and  to  produce 
financial  ruin  and  embarrassment,  took  the  lead. 
Its  example  was  followed,  in  a  more  humble  way, 
by  the  institutions  created  in  the  several  States. 
To  create  a  vacuum  to  be  supplied  by  their  own 
notes,  specie  was  exported  from  the  country.  A 
premium  was  obtained  by  this  operation  which  re- 
sulted in  a  more  extensive  circulation  of  its  repi-e- 
sentative.  Membei-s  of  Congress,  who  should  have 
re-established  the  only  constitutional  currency,  were 

*  Speech  of  Mr.  Benton,  Jantiary  Ifith,  1840.    Appendix  to  tlie  Con- 
gressional Globe,  1st  session  26lli  Congress,  p.  117. 


380 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


in  many  instances  indebted  to  the  })ank,  and  they 
obeyed  more  obsequiously  the  l)ehests  of  tliat  in- 
stitution than  the  will  of  their  constituents.  Tlie  con- 
trol which  chartered  monopolies  had  obtained  over 
the  destinies  of  the  country  was  truly  alarming,  and 
their  j)ower  was  exercised  with  a  reckless  and  un- 
scrupuloas  disregard  of  the  public  weal.  A  vast 
amount  of  pajier  money  was  issued,  carrying  with 
it  an  extension  of  credit,  which  elevated  all  kinds 
of  property  to  an  uimatural  price,  followed  by  con- 
tractions which  earned  distress  into  every  part  of 
the  country.  Suits  were  instituted  against  the 
debtor,  property  was  sacrificed,  and  the  capitalist 
would  purchase  it  at  reduced  rates.  Another  ex- 
pansion of  the  currency  would  enable  them  to  sell 
what  they  had  purchased,  and  the  people  would 
hail,  as  a  blessing  graciously  bestowed  by  the  Tjanks, 
that  which  had  the  eft'ect  of  plundering  them  of 
the  fruits  of  honest  industry.  The  fii-st  bank  com- 
pleted its  career,  and  when  the  inflexil)le  integrity 
and  iron  will  of  General  Jackson  enabled  him  to 
make  a  successful  stand  against  the  second  monster, 
its  friends  and  supporters  raised  a  political  excite- 
ment which  has  seldom  had  its  parallel  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  country.  It  was  not  to  be  supposed 
that  those  who  had  rioted  upon  the  misfortunes  of 
othei's  would  yield  their  privileges  without  a  strug- 
gle, and  the  fierceness  which  signalized  that  memo- 
ral>le  struggle,  illustrated  the  power  which  was  pos- 
sessed by  the  capital  of  the  coimtry.  The  friends 
of  reform  triuini)lK*d,  and  a  bank  of  the  United 
States  has  become  an  "obsolete  idea." 


•V      V 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


381 


The  capital  which  had  been  invested  in  that  in- 
stitution was  transferred  to  State  Imnks.  Those 
jjci-sons  who  had  for  so  long  a  i)eriod  the  custody 
and  use  of  the  puljlic  money,  were  not  disposed  to 
yield  the  benefits  which  resulted  from  it,  and  the 
divorce  of  bank  and  State  was  resisted  Avith  the 
same  obstinacy  as  ever.  The  friends  of  reform 
numbered  in  their  ranks  men  who  had  the  ability 
and  the  intiexibility  of  purpose  requisite  to  main- 
tain their  views.  To  Mr.  Benton  the  country  is 
under  lasting  obligations  for  the  stand  which  he 
assumed  upon  this  question,  when,  "solitary  and 
alone,"  he  withstood  the  power  of  wealth  and  cor- 
rujjtion,  and  amidst  gloom  and  defeat,  steadily  ad- 
hered to  the  principles  of  the  constitution.  The 
representatives  who  were  elected  by  the  peoj)le  to 
sustain  him  in  the  struggle,  found  their  prmciples 
melting  away  before  the  influences  which  the  banks 
employed  in  the  contest.  The  evil  was  hard  to 
eradicate.  The  influences  of  paper  money  had  be- 
come fastened  like  a  cancer  upon  the  body  poli- 
tic, and  a  removal  threatened  its  destruction.  The 
crash  among  the  banks,  in  the  spring  of  1837,  car- 
ried terror  and  dismay  into  the  ranks  of  the  demo- 
cratic party.  Men  who  had  hitherto  proved  inflex- 
ible, surrendered  their  positions,  and  many  of  those 
who  adhered  steadfastly  to  their  principles,  were 
carried  down  the  stream  which  threatened  to. un- 
dermine the  veiy  pillara  of  the  con>  iitution.  Slowly 
the  country  emerged  from  the  storm  which  swept 
over  it.  The  Independent  Treasury  bill,  which  wijs 
passed  on  the  4th  of  July,  1840,  was  destined,  how- 


382 


KIHTORY     OF     THE 


evei',  to  a  In'ief  exiHtence.  The;  fxlium  with  which  the 
whig  party  managed  to  Hnrroiirid  it,  produced  its 
repeal  dunng  the  extra  seHstion  of  Congress,  in  1841. 
The  adniiral>le  manner  with  which  its  prf>vision9 
met  the  expectations  of  its  friends,  during  the 
thirteen  months  it  liad  l)(;en  in  operation,  insured 
a  continuance  of  their  support.  Defeat  only  had 
the  effect  of  arousing  the  wliole  democratic  party 
to  renewed  exertions,  and  for  five  years  the  strug- 
gle was  continued  with  unal)at«;d  energy,  and  ter- 
minated gloriously  in  the  estaldishment  of  the  con- 
stitutional treasury  in  184('). 

Independent  of  the  objections  which  may  be 
urged,  that  the  constitution  confers  upon  Congi-ess 
no  authority  to  j)lace  the  funds  of  the  Government 
under  the  control  of  coi'porations,  there  is  a  mani- 
fest injustice  in  allowing  banks  to  trade  upon  that 
money.  It  establishes  favoritism,  and  gives  people 
in  one  section  of  the  country  privileges  over  those 
less  fortunate.  Non-interterence  between  individuals 
is  the  palpable  duty  of  Government.  The  specie 
deposited  with  one  bank  by  the  United  States, 
serves  as  a  basis  for  the  circulation  of  paper,  and 
constitutes  that  institution  a  "pet"  of  the  Gov- 
ernment. This  produces  an  evident  violation  of  the 
sacred  principle  of  equality,  which  is  the  ground- 
work of  the  constitution.  Whatever  temporary 
benefits  may  accrue  to  individuals,  or  the  nation, 
fix)m  such  a  course,  it  is  no  excuse  for  a  violation  of 
principle.  The  Government  and  the  people  had 
both  suffered  greatly  from  the  system  which  was 
originated  by  Mr.  Hamilton,  the  leader  of  the  fed- 


POLK    A  I)  yj  r  v  I  ^;  t  u  a  t io n. 


383 


be 


ei'iil  [larty  *  Tlie  country  Imn  j>as9ed  tlirougli  jiain- 
fnl  ('xjifricnco,  which  shook  society,  and  came  near 
(lesti'oyiiif^  the  glorioas  falmc  erected  ]>y  tlie  '-vis- 
doju  and  jjatriotism  of  our  fathers.  The  morning 
which  hi'oke  ufH>n  this  long  night  of  darkness  and 
gloom,  is  a  glorious  opening  to  the  future.  And  a 
recurnnice  to  the  evils  from  which  we  have  escaped, 
would  indicate  pwitive  political  blindness,  which 
can  derive  no  improvement  from  the  terrible  ordeal 
from  which  our  country  has  escaped. 

Connected  with  the  revenue  of  the  United 
States,  it  was  deemed  proper  by  the  administration 
to  profK^se  a  warehousing  system,  and  it  was  forci- 
])ly  recommende<l  by  Mr.  Walker  in  his  first  report 
to  Congnjss.f     A  bill  was  introduced  into  the  Se- 

♦  "From  a  report  made  on  the  11th  of  February,  1841,  from  the 
Secretary  of  tin,'  Trcanury,  it  appearejl  that  the  losses  which  the  Gov- 
crntnent  haH  at  variouH  timen  suffered  from  connection  with  banks,  were 
estimated  to  amount  to  the  enormous  sum  of  (J  15,492,000.  A  report  made 
to  tlie  Ilouse  of  Representatives,  April  30th,  1830,  believed  to  have  been 
by  Mr.  McDuffic,  estimates  the  aggregate  losses  from  the  receipt  of  bank 
paper,  which  occurred  prior  to  1817,  at  1|34,000,000.  And  in  the  report 
of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  to  which  he  has  just  alluded,  the  total 
loss  from  1789,  to  the  peitpU;  (the  other  was  in  relation  to  the  Government 
itself,)  from  the  exixtcnce  of  banks  and  the  use  of  bank  paper,  is  esti- 
mated at  83fl5,457,4?>7."— S;)eecfc  of  Mr.  Dromgoole,  Ajml  2d,  1846. 
Confrreftiimal  (iUilie,  \*l  »e.»tvm  29/fc  Cc^gre.ss,  p.  692. 

Mr.  Walker  in  his  report  to  Congress,  December  3d,  1845,  states  that 
the  United  States  Mint  had  had  in  its  custody  more  than  $114,000,000  of 
dollars  without  the  Government  sustaining  any  loss. 

The  Government  was  equally  fortunate  while  the  independent  treasury 
bill,  passed  in  1840,  wax  in  operation,  and  it  remains  to  be  seen  whether 
any  losses  will  be  sustained  under  the  constitutional  treasury  bill  now 
enforced. 

t  "  If  the  cash  duties  arc  retained,  as  it  is  believed  they  should  be,  the 
only  sure  methrnl  of  restoring  this  trade  is  the  adoption  of  the  warehous- 
ing system,  by  which  the  foreign  imports  may  be  kept  in  store  by  tin-  Gov- 


^^^ 


».%4 


HISTORY     O  F     T  II  E 


ft««Cft  For  thiit  puriMwe  by  Mr.  Dix,  on  the  2l8t  of 
Jannary,  1840.  It  piissed  Congress  during  that 
■«*!**i<)n,  and  received  the  approval  of  th"  President, 
('.f.h  of  August,  184G.  The  act  provided  that  on 
xad  aft^r  that  day,  the  duties  on  all  imported  gcjods, 
WAppM,  or  merchandise  should  be  paid  in  cash.  That 
grxxlw  n^xm  which  the  duties  were  not  paid  should 
if)*T  fiaken  possession  of  by  the  Collector,  and  depos- 
hfx\  in  pnV)lic  stores  at  the  risk  of  the  owner,  and 
♦\ih»j«^(t  at  all  times  to  his  order,  upon  the  payment 
cd  th«^  proper  duties  and  expenses.  In  case  the 
jjfrx-xlrt  should  remain  in  the  storehouse  more  than  one 
jr«iT  without  the  payment  of  the  duties,  then  they 
«jfft  to  be  appraised,  and  sold  by  the  Collector  at 
j)nhlic  auction.  Within  one  year  after  the  goods 
i»ft  deposited  in  the  public  storehouse,  they  may  be 
mthdrawn  and  transported  to  any  other  port  of 
«i.try. 

Previous  to  the  passage  of  that  act,  the  ware- 
L')iwf  system  was  in  existence,  although  the  laws 
i»hich  regulated  it  were  not  so  simple  and  well  de- 
tw-.i]  an  the  bill  of  1846.  Indeed,  the  principle 
waH  estaV)liahed  as  early  as  1*799,  and  was  enlarged 
c^  c,r>ntr acted  al  various  periods  since  the  adoption 
<')f  the  Constitution,  for  the  benefit  of  the  commer- 
<»^l  interest.  The  effect  of  the  bill  is  to  give  an 
(Wfienxion  f>f  credit  to  the  importer,  who  would  oth- 
(►vwise   be   required  to  pay  the  duties  upon  his 

rtmm^nt,  until  they  are  required  for  re-exportation  abroad,  or  conRumption 
itr  hnme — in  which  latter  contingency,  and  at  the  time  when  for  tlut  pur- 
fiv^  fh)»y  are  taiten  out  of  these  stores  for  consumption,  the  duties  are 
jjKirt,  anH.  if  re-exported,  they  pay  no  duty,  but  only  the  expense  of  sto- 
iaig».—Htport  nf  Mr.  Walker  to  Congress,  December,  1846- 


'm^m' 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


385 


merchandise  an  soon  as  it  was  landed.  No  possible 
danger  of  loss  to  the  (lovernnient  can  be  appre- 
hended, because  the  good.s  are  retained  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  Collector,  until  the  duties  or  charges 
thereon  are  j)aid.  The  difficulty  which  the  merch- 
ant would  .-(  ni-tinies  encounter  in  being  forced  to 
sell  a  portion  of  his  wares  to  discharge  the  duties, 
is  oljviated.  The  only  effect  is  to  give  him  time  for 
the  payment  of  Government  dues.  This  can  be 
done  without  loss  to  the  United  States,  and  with 
gi'eat  benefit  to  the  inijKjrter.  How  far  the  })ill 
will  meet  the  expectations  of  its  advocates  is  yet  to 
be  seen.  It  is  stated  that  the  amount  of  charges 
received  at  the  port  of  New- York,  is  less  than  the 
sum  expended  by  Government  upon  them.  Tliis  is 
a  reason  Avhy  the  act  should  r>e  :<  mended  instead  of 
being  repealed.  It  is  easy  to  increase  the  charges 
which  are  exacted  for  storing  goods  in  the  ware- 
house, until  the  amount  received  is  equal  to  the 
sum  disbursed.  The  country  is  very  much  indebted 
to  Mr.  Dix,  the  able  Senator  from  New- York,  for 
the  passage  of  that  law. 

The  Mexican  war  considerably  increased  the  na- 
tional debt,  though  not  so  much  as  was  often  pre- 
dicted. The  amount  of  the  public  debt  remaining 
unpaid  on  the  1st  of  October,  184.5,  was  seventeen 
million  seventy-five  thoasand  four  hundred  and 
forty-five  dollars  and  fifty-two  cents.*  The  balance 
in  the  treasury  on  the  1st  of  July,  1845,  was  seven 
million  six  hundred  and  forty-eight  thousand  three 
hundred   and  six  dollars  and  twenty-two   cents.f 

*  Message  of  Mr.  Polk  to  Congress,  December,  1845.         t  I^^'^- 
25 


^^"m 


f^wwrm 


386 


IIISTOBY     OF     THE 


On  the  22d  of  July,  1846,  the  President  approved 
an  act  authorizing  him  to  issue  treasury  notes  to 
the  amount  of  ten  millions  of  dollars,  or  to  borrow 
that  sum  on  the  credit  of  the  United  States,  at  in- 
terest not  exceeding  six  per  cent*  On  the  twenty- 
eighth  of  January,  1847,  the  President  was  autho- 
rized by  law  to  cause  treasury  notes  to  be  issued  to 
the  amount  of  twenty-three  millions  of  dollars. 
The  notes  were  to  be  reimbui-sed  and  redeemed  by 
the  United  States  at  the  expiration  of  one  year,  or 
two  yeai-s  from  the  dates  of  the  .  said  notes  respec- 
tively. They  were  transferable  by  delivery  and  as- 
signment endorsed  upon  them,  and  were  received 
in  payment  of  all  duties  due  the  United  States. 
The  holders  of  these  treasury  notes,  by  presenting 
them  at  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States,  would 
receive  the  amount  in  certificate  of  funded  stock, 
bearing  interest  at  six  per  cent,  per  annum.  A  dis- 
cretionary power  was  givanted  to  borrow  on  the 
credit  of  the  United  States,  and  to  issue  stock  to 
the  amount  of  twenty-three  millions  of  dollars. 
On  the  31st  of  March,  1848,  authority  was  granted 
to  the  Executive  to  borrow  within  one  year  there- 
after on  the  credit  of  the  United  States,  a  sum  not 
exceeding  sixteen  millions  of  dollai-s,  and  to  issue 
stock  of  the  United  States  as  security  for  its  pay- 
ment.f 

The  receipts  into  the  treasury  during  the  fiscal 
year  ending  on  the  30th  of  June,  184.5,  were  twen- 
ty-nine million  seven  hundred  and  sixty-nine  thou- 

*  Public  laws  of  tlie  United  States,  collated  by  Little  &  Brown, 
t  Ibid. 


j^M^^^Wfipapvp 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


387 


sand  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  dollars  and  fifty- 
six  cents ;  of  which  there  were  derived  from  cus- 
toms twenty-seven  million  five  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-eight thousand  one  hundred  and  twelve  dollars 
and  seventy  cents.  The  expenditures  during  that 
pei'iod  were  twenty-nine  million  nine  hundred  and 
sixty-eight  thousand  two  hundred  and  six  dollars 
and  ninety-eight  cents.* 

The  amount  of  money  received  into  the  treasury 
for  the  year  ending  June  30th,  1846,  was  twenty- 
nine  million  four  hundred  and  ninety-nine  thou- 
sand two  hundred  and  forty-seven  dollars  and  six 
cents,  of  which  there  was  derived  fi'om  the  customs 
twenty-six  million  seven  hundred  and  twelve  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  sixty-seven  dollars  and  eiglity- 
seven  cents.  Expenditures  for  the  same  period  were 
twenty-eight  million  thirty-one  thousand  one  hun- 
dred and  fourteen  dollars  and  twenty  cents ;  the 
balance  in  the  treasury  on  the  Ist  day  of  July,  1846, 
was  nine  million  one  hundred  a,nd  twenty-s'-  thou- 
sand ft)ur  hundred  and  thii-ty-nine  dollars  anu  eight 
cents.  The  amount  of  the  public  del)t,  including 
treasurj'  notes,  on  the  1st  of  December,  1846,  was 
twenty-tijur  million  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  thou- 
sand four  hundred  and  ninety-four  dollars  and  sixty 
cents ;  of  which  the  sum  of  seventeen  million  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-eight  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  ninety-nine  dollars  and  sixty-two  cents  was  out- 
standing on  the  4th  of  March,  184.5,  leaving  the 
am(»nnt  incuiTed  from  that  time  to  December  1846, 
six  million  four  hundred  and  sixty-seven  thousand 

*  First  annual  message  of  Mr,  Polk  to  Congress. 


FA  S  r  K 11  1. 1  Jill  A 11 


<9M 


388 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


six  hundred  and  ninety-four  dollai-s  and  ninety-eight 
cents*  For  the  pui-pose  of  increasing  the  revenue, 
the  Executive  recommended  the  war  tax  upon  tea 
and  coffee,  and  also  upon  the  principal  articles  that 
were  at  that  time  upon  the  free  list.  He  also  urged 
the  graduation  and  i-eduction  of  the  price  of  the 
public  lands,  as  a  means  of  increasing  the  revenue.f 
The  receipts  into  the  treasury  for  the  fiscal  year 
ending  the  30th  of  June  1847,  amounted  to  twenty- 
six  million  three  hundred  and  forty-six  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  ninety  dollars  and  thirty-seven 
cents;  of  which  there  was  derived  from  customs 
twenty-t^ree  million  seven  hundred  and  fo  'ty-seven 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-four  doh  rs  and 
sixty-six  cents.  The  expenditure  during  tht-.  ^ame 
period  was  fifty-nine  million  four  hundred  and  '^y- 
one  thousand  one  hundred  and  seventy-seven  doliai-s 
and  sixty-five  cents,  of  which  three  million  five  hun- 
dred and  twenty-two  thousand  and  eighty-two  dol- 
lars and  thirty-seven  cents  was  on  account  of  pay- 
ment of  the  principal  and  interest  on  public  debt, 
including  treasury  notes  redeemed  and  unfunded. 
On  the  1st  of  December,  1847,  the  amount  of  the 
public  debt,  including  treasury  notes,  was  forty-five 
million  six  hundred  and  fifty-nine  thousand  six  hun- 
dred and  fifty-nine  dollars  and  forty  cent^.  The  debt 
due  on  the  4th  of  March,  1845,  when  Mr.  Polk  en- 
tered upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  was,  including 
treasury  notes,  seventeen  million  seven  hundred  and 
eighty-eight  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety- 

♦  Message  of  Mr.  Polk  to  CoKgress,  December,  1846. 
t  Ibid. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


389 


nine  dollars  and  sixty-two  cents,  and  the  addition 
made  to  that  sum  from  that  period  to  December 
'Tth,  1847,  was  twenty-seven  million  eight  hundred 
and  seventy  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-nine 
dollars  and  seventy-eight  cents.* 

The  receipts  into  the  treasury  duiing  the  fiscal 
year  ending  June  30th,  1848,  amounted  to  thirty-five 
million  four  hundred  and  thirty-six  thousand  seven 
hnndred  and  fifty  dollai's  and  fifty-nine  cents.  Of 
this  sum  there  was  obtained  in  duties  upon  imports 
thirty-one  million  seven  hundred  and  fifty-seven 
thousand  and  seventy  dollars  and  ninety-six  cents. 
The  expenditures  during  the  same  time,  including 
those  for  the  war,  and  exclusive  of  payments  of 
principal  and  interest  for  the  public  debt,  were  for- 
ty-two million  eight  hundred  and  eleven  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  seventy  dollars  and  three  cents.f 

It  is  extraordinary  that  the  credit  of  the  Govern- 
ment during  the  war  with  Mexico  was  remarkably 
high.  This  is  the  more  surprising  from  the  fact, 
that  the  bonds  of  the  Government  during  the  pre- 
ceding administration,  and  in  time  of  peace,  were 
hawked  about  in  the  markets  of  Europe  without 
success.  A  loan  of  twenty-three  million  was  au- 
thorized by  the  act  of  the  28th  of  January,  1847.  Of 
that  sum  five  million  were  ]Hiid  to  satisfy  the  claims 
of  public  creditors,  or  exclianged  for  specie  at  par. 
Eighteen  million  were  ofiered  for  specie  to  the 
highest  bidder,  and  were  awarded  at  premiums  va- 
rying from  one-eighth  of  one  per  cent,  to  two  per 

*  Messngn  of  Mr.  Polk  to  Coiiltpss,  DBc,ciiil)er,  1 847. 
f  Message  of  Mr.  Polk  to  Congress,  Dcceml)cr,  1848. 


■r^ 


^r^rmr^^ 


390 


HISTOKY     OF     THE 


cent,  above  par.  This  was  indeed  not  only  a  very 
extraordinary,  but  an  unexpected  result.  At  the 
time  it  occurred,  there  was  no  prospect  of  an  imme- 
diate termination  of  the  war  with  Mexico.  On  the 
10th  of  April,  1847,  when  it  was  awarded  to  the 
highest  biddera,  Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle  of  San 
Juan  d'Ulloa  had  surrendered  to  our  victorious  arms. 
But  the  enemy  manifested  an  obstinate  determina- 
tion to  resist  the  progress  of  the  invaders,  and  sub- 
sequently to  that  period,  the  road  to  Mexico  was 
rendered  memorable  by  many  a  sanguinary  battle- 
field. Under  these  circumstances,  that  the  money 
should  have  been*  ol>tained  by  the  Government  at  a 
premium,  presented  a  novelty  to  the  financial  world. 
The  amount  of  duties  collected  under  the  operar 
tion  of  the  free-trade  tariftj  was  as  gratif}ang  to  its 
friends  as  unexpected  to  its  opponents.  The  com- 
merce of  the  United  States,  instead  of  being  embar- 
rassed by  the  Mexican  war,  seemed  to  be  carried  6n 
with  more  energy  and  spirit  than  ever,  and  poured 
into  the  coffers  of  the  General  Government  large 
accessions  of  revenue.*    The  tariff  of  1842  would 


S 


^  ■» 


*  The  who's  net  revenue  from  duties  during  the  entire  period  of  four 
years  and  three  months  of  the  operation  of  the  tariff  of  1 842,  (per  table  D,) 
was  $101,554,653  12,  being  an  annual  average  of  $23,895,208  32.  The 
net  revenue  received  from  the  tariff  of  1846  during  its  entire  operation 
from  the  1st  of  December,  1846,  to  the  30th  of  September,  1848,  was  (per 
table  E,)  $56,654,563  79,  or  an  average  of  $30,902,489  28  per  annum, 
being  an  average  of  $7,007,280  96  more  per  annum  under  the  tariff  of 
1846,  than  was  received  under  the  tariff  of  1842.  The  net  revenue  for  the 
first  fiscal  year  under  the  tariff  of  1846  (per  table  A)  was  $31,757,070  96, 
being  $767,070  96  more  than  the  estimate  of  this  department ;  and  tliis 
amount  would  go  on  aucrmenting  every  year  under  this  act,  witli  a  favor- 
able state  of  foreign  commerce  and  industry,  in  a  ratio  at  least  as  great  as 
the  increase  of  our  population." — Report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
December  9,  1848. 


POLK     ADMINISTKATIOJf, 


3M 


have  proved  totally  inadequate  to  supply  llW:-  Mnrmnt 
of  revenue  whicli  was  yielded  Ly  tlie  atit  <<^'  I.s-irt, 
and  if  the  former  LUl  had  continued  m  '<>^ii*.TJ!*.f,ioTi, 
the  loms  requii-ed  by  Government  would  itU'Xi'r  hee,n 
greatly  increased.  Probably  the  accuuijvll^liiwv  of 
revenue  which  resulted  from  the  free  tit'tt<lW  g)i')H<-',y 
enabled  the  Government  to  oljtain  pi'emwiw*,.  while 
a  falling  off  of  the  customs  Avould  have  iW(y*rt  the 
United  States  to  sell  their  bonds  at  a  diooMvM.. 

The  public  debt  of  the  United  Statt«>  »,»«■  *flA*ftct 
by  Mr.  Meredith  in  his  report  to  Coxig:r.*»*^  JXcr-ftm- 
ber,  1849,  to  amount  to  sixty-fjui-  Jiuillfi<.fti  ^'.ven 
hundred  and  four  thousand  six  hundjed  aiU'li  iWAHJy- 
three  doUai-s  and  seventy-one  cents.  Jii  itlW  ^-Ame 
report  he  asserts,  that  the  old  funded  diil/t-^  nliw.  five 
per  cent,  loan  of  March  3d,  1843,  the  t^x  ^>^e.&.nt. 
loan  of  the  15th  of  April,  1842,  and  the  ,(W,<t  f4  tJne 
disti-ict  of  Columbia,  assumed  ))y  ClJngJv«^:,  ^pi«'iiiTit- 
ed  to  fifteen  million  seven  hundred  aud  d<.vity-f;ine 
thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty-t\\<j  diJlaj*  ^iiiu'li  for- 
ty-eight cents.  This  sum  taken  fi'om  tiUe  au^^k  )Vial 
uebt  would  leave  the  amount  of  l(jauk<  .wlVlifiiM  wah 
necessary  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  waji-  ftv  lli')Vt,y- 
eight  million  nine  hundred  and  fifty-ii\e  rtlUM^'and 
eleven  dollara  and  twenty-three  cents,  m%ikm>c^  fihe 
interest  of  the  whole  war  debt  less  thaw  itlliiii*  ftwl^ 
lion. 

The  administration  of  Mi'.  Polk  ma<4v  wflM^ft- 
tnents  to  meet  all  the  demands  upou  the  (f /--)'<' cvn- 
Tnent  growing  out  of  the  war  with  Mexiuiv,,  :m»'l  for 
liquidating  the  instalments  due  under  tiw  (ttfftaffty  of 


as 

a* 
M 

u 


^w^vw^«Fraw!»Pfl 


392 


HISTORY     OF     TUB 


peace,  for  tlie  fiscal  yean*,  <?riding  on  the  30th  of 
June,  1849  and  1850* 

In  order  to  diminish  th<f  arnrnint  of  loa^  neces- 
sary to  prosecute  the  war,  Mr,  J'olk,  in  liis  message 
to  Congress,  December,  184<>,  in  general  terms  re- 
commended the  levying  of  duti^-?*  ujnm  articles, 
which,  by  the  tariff  of  1  H4<J,  were  placed  uj)on  the 
free  list.f  This  projMi^ition  ereat<'d  ninch  excite- 
ment in  Congress,  in  the  rankn  of  both  political  par- 
ties. Democratic  mendiei-H  wlio  were  ultra  in  their 
views  upon  the  pro|)riety  of  taxing  tea  and  coffee, 
were  unmeasured  in  their  denunciations  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive. The  views  which  he  entertained  before  his 
elevation  to  the  presidential  chair,  were  freely  com- 

*  "  This  statement  bIiows  a  tjaUri/y;  in  >,h«  Trnaniiry,  on  the  30th  of 
June,  1849,  of  $2,853,094  84  ;  ar»d  a  Mhium  in  th«  Trcasnry  on  the  aoth 
of  June,  1850,  of  $5,040,542  11.  In  lie;  Mtirnatol  expenditures  for  the 
year  ending  on  tlie  30th  of  June,  yHf/i,  »fi  incloflcd  hnianccs  of  appropri- 
ationa,  amoiinting  totiiBBurnof  %:j,TJiJ/<;n  !W,  a  considerable  portion  ot 
which  may  not  be  required.  Unleisi?  w;w  awl  »nrtra/»rdinary  expenditures 
are  aiitliorized  by  Congress,  no  furtl«;r  Stmttn  will  Ik  rcfjuired,  and  the  pub- 
lic debt  may  bo  reduced. — Itxji'/rl  <f  Mr,  WaUur,  HecrMary  of  Ihe  Treo 
sury,  December  9,  1848. 

f  "  If,  however,  Congress  should,  at  llx;  fiftrM^  session,  impose  a  re- 
venue duty  on  the  princi|>al  aiiicU.'s  iniw  imtiiracfA  in  the  free  list,  it  is 
estimated  that  nn  additional  annual  ravimwt  ti( itbont  two  million  and  a  half, 
amounting,  it  is  estimated,  on  thi!  iliirti<4li  itf  Jiiw,  1848,  to  four  million 
of  dollars,  would  be  derived  from  tl<at  »mri'jr;  amlthclnnn  required  would 
be  reduced  by  that  amount." — Mfumtc:  if  l\v.  I're.nuknl  to  Cimfrress,  De- 
cember 8,  1846. 

"  It  is  submitted  for  your  consid/?rs(t(/<»(,  w)ifihfiT  it  may  \.j^  be  proper, 
as  a  war  measure,  to  impose  reveniw  liutUft  im  tmnie  of  the  articles  now 
embraced  in  the  fret?  list.  HhouM  it  l«  (tinnfn-A  prropcr  to  impose  such  du- 
ties, with  a  view  to  ral-°  revenue  U>  uftd  tb«  frxp^-nses  of  the  war  with 
Mexico,  or  to  avoid  to  that  extent  tiu>  e.ri^'uin  of  a  public  debt,  they  may 
be  repealed  when  tlie  emergency  which  (f«vfi  twi  totliem  shall  cease  to  ex- 
ist, and  constitute  no  part  of  ttie  pttnuHiu^tl  policy  of  the  country.— 
Jbid. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


393 


merited  upon.  It  was  asserted  that  he  had  opposed 
in  his  canvasses  for  the  gubernatorial  chair  of  Ten- 
nessee,^tax  upon  tea  and  coftee.  It  is  1)ut  justice 
to  Mr.  rolk  to  say,  that  he  only  advocated  the  col- 
lection of  duties  ujion  those  articles  an  a  war  mea- 
sure, to  be  repealed  when  a  treaty  of  peace  was 
concluded.  The  motives  which  governed  him  were 
truly  patriotic,  and  had  for  their  object  the  i)reser- 
vation  of  the  public  credit,  by  keeping  the  stocks  of 
the  United  States  at  par  value.  Unawed  by  the 
denunciations  which  were  levelled  at  him  by  mem- 
bers of  all  political  parties,  he  reiterated  his  recom- 
mendation for  a  tax  upon  the  free  list,  in  a  more 
specific  form.  In  a  special  message  to  Congress  on 
the  13th  of  February,  1847,  he  briefly,  but  in  lan- 
guage of  great  force  and  power,  examined  the  con- 
dition of  our  finances,  and  recommended  the  raising 
of  customs  from  te^nd  coftee."-      Against  the  mea- 

*  "  In  my  Annual  Message  of  the  8th  of  December  last,  ^  submitted  for 
the  consideration  of  Congress,  the  propriety  of  imposing  as  a  war  measure, 
revenue  duties  on  some  of  the  articles  now  embraced  in  the  free  list.  The 
principal  articles  now  exempt  from  duty,  from  which  any  considerable  re- 
venue can  be  derived,  are  tea  and  coffee.  A  moderate  revenue  duty  on 
these  articles,  it  is  estimated,  would  produce  annually  an  amount  exceed- 
ing two  and  a  half  millions  of  dollars.  Though  in  a  period  of  pence,  when 
ample  means  could  be  derived  from  duties  on  other  article*)  for  the  support 
of  the  Government,  it  may  have  been  deemed  proper  not  to  report  to  a 
duty  on  these  articles,  yet  when  the  country  is  engaged  in  a  foreign  war, 
and  all  our  rqspurces  are  demanded  to  meet  the  unavoidable  increased  ex- 
penditure in  maintaining  our  armies  in  the  field,  no  sound  reason  is  per- 
ceived why  we  should  not  avail  ourselves  of  the  revenues  which  may  be 
derived  from  this  source.  The  objections  which  have  heretofore  existed 
to  the  imposition  of  these  duties,  were  applicable  to  a  state  of  peace,  when 
they  were  not  needed.  We  are  now,  however,  engaged  in  a  foreign  war. 
We  need  money  to  prosecute  it,  and  to  maintain  the  public  honor  and 
credit.    It  cannot  be  doubted  that  the  patriotic  people  of  the  United  States 


r*x*.; 


lASPKU   lamiAKV 


mWHW"  .iWHJiiJ^. 


394 


HIBTOBY     OP     THE 


sure,  however,  was  arrayed  a  large  majority  of  the 
Huu.se  of  llepreseutatives.*  The  opposition  mem- 
Ijei-s  of  Congress  opposed  the  recommer^tion  of 
the  President,  and  there  were  only  fort^Rght  of 
his  own  party  in  the  House  who  sustained-  his 
views.  It  is  difficult  to  see  any  propriety  in  the 
opposition  which  was  made  to  levying  a  war  tax 
upon  tea  and  coffee.  That  the  people  of  the  United 
States  would  submit  to  any  tax  which  might  be  ne- 
cessary to  sustain  the  national  honor,  there  can  be 
no  doul^t.  Indeed,  this  was  unanimously  voted  by 
the  House,  with  great  gravity .f  If  this  question 
was  divested  of  the  sophistry  with  ■iyhich  politicians 
have  invested  it,  it  would  be  ejQ^llfcfily  difficult  to 
see  why  a  duty  should  not  hje^^aised  from  tea  and 
coffee  in  time  of  peace.  |t  i^  asserted  that  these 
articles  have  now  become  necessaries  of  life,  still  it 
cannot  be  maintained  that'tHiy  are  indispensable. 
There  are  other  imjiortations  upon  which  a  tariff  of 
twenty  and  thirty  per  oent.  are  levied,  which  are 
absolutely  necessaries  of  life.  It  is  almost  us  impos- 
sible for  the  people  of  this  country  to  dispense  with 

would  cheerfully,  and  without  complaint,  submit  to  the  payment  of  this 
additional  duty,  or  any  other  that  may  be  necessary  to  maintain  the  honor 
of  the  country,  provide  for  the  unavoidable  expenses  of  the  Government, 
and  to  uphold  the  public  credit.  It  is  recommended  that  any  duties  which 
may  be  imposed  on  these  articles,  be  limited  in  their  duration  to  the  period 
of  the  war." — Message  of  Mr.  Polk  to  Congress,  February  13,  1847. 

*  "  Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient  to  levy  any  duty  on  tea  and 
coffee." 

This  resolution  passed  by  a  vote  of  115  to  48." — Congressional  Globe, 
2d  session  29th  Congress,  p.  102. 

t  "  Resolved,  That  the  people  of  the  United  States  are  too  patriotic  to 
refuse  any  necessary  tax  in  time  of  war." 

This  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted. — Ibid.  p.  103. 


mm  m' 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


395 


the  use  of  iron  and  salt,  as  to  exist  without  water. 
Why  then  should  these  necessaries  be  taxed,  and 
tea  an(^coffee  bei  placed  upon  the  free  list  ?  It  is 
easily  cwrceived  that  the  protectionists  are  in  favor 
of  tliis  policy,  because  the  exemption  of  articles 
which  are  not  raised  or  manufactured  in  this  coun- 
try from  taxation,  will  create  the  necessity  for  higher 
duties  upon  merchandise  which  comes  in  competi- 
tion with  their  own  manufactures.  But  that  those 
persons  who  advocate  the  doctrine  of  free  trade, 
should  desire  to  place  tea  and  coffee  upon  the  free 
list,  and  produce  thereby  the  necessity  for  more  ex- 
orbitant taxes  upon  articles  of  still  greater  impoi-t- 
ance  to  the  people,  is  equally  surprising  and  pre- 
posterous. . 


'BfSfr 


Oiijam  Mnviih  1.1»S4, 
ZnsU  JLya^  •mi  1097. 


«  va^ 


396 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


t     < 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Internal  Improvements. — Contest  between  Congren  and  the  Executive  upon 
that  question. — Discussions  upon  ibe  power  granted  Congress  to  authorize 
the  States  to  lay  duties  upon  tonnage  in  the  Constitutional  Convention. — 
Public  lands. — Pre-emption  rights. — Lands  granted  to  several  States. — 
Land  granted  to  soldiers. — Post-Office  Department. — Rates  of  postage. — 
Foreign  mails. — Lines  established  to  Chagresand  California. — The  Navy. 

The  administration  of  Mr.  Polk  was  signalized  by 
the  struggle  between  the  friends  of  internal  im- 
provements, and  the  Executive.  A  large  majority 
in  both  Houses  of  Congress,  numbering  members 
of  both  political  parties,  were  favorable  to  a  lavish 
expenditure  of  the  public  trea%ry  for  such  purpo- 
ses. The  struggle  was  commenced  during  the  first 
session  of  the  29th  Confess,  and  was  continued 
with  unabated  energy  throughout.  On  the  Slst 
of  December,  1845,  a  bill  was  introduced  into  the 
House  of  Representatives  by  Mr.  Tibbatts,  for  the 
improvement  of  harbors  and  rivers,  and  passed  that 
body  on  the  20th  of  March,  by  a  vote  of  109  .to 
90.  It  passed  the  Senate  precisely  as  it  was  re- 
ported to  that  body  on  the  24th  of  July,  1846,  by 
a  vote  of  34  to  16,*  The  bill  encountered  an  Ex- 
ecutive veto.  The  message  which  the  President 
transmitted  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  as- 
signing the  reasons  why  he  could  not  approve  the 

*  Coiigresgional  Globe,  Ist  session  29th  Congress,  p.  1136. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


897 


})ill,  irt  cliai'ucti/<;(l  by  remarkable  vigor  and  power* 
The  autliority  of  the  General  Government  to  make 
internal  improvements  within  the  States,  was  tho- 

*  "The  Conirtitution  has  not,  in  my  judgment,  conferred  upon  the 
Ft'flcral  'iovf-rnmcnt  the  power  to  conHtriict  works  of  internal  improve- 
iiioiit  within  the  HtutCH,  or  to  Appropriate  money  from  the  treasury  for  tliat 
pur|>OKC.  Th'il  tliiH  hill  axguines  for  the  Federal  Government  the  right  to 
exercise  thix  (lowcr,  cannot,  I  think,  be  doubted.  The  approved  course  of 
the  (jovcrniiicnt,  and  tlie  deliberately  expressed  judgment  of  the  people, 
have  denied  the  exiHtcncc  of  such  a  power  under  the  Constitution.  Seve- 
ral of  my  predcceHwjrH  have  denied  its  existence  in  the  most  solemn  forms." 

"  The  general  propoHJtion  that  the  Federal  Government  does  not  pos- 
sess this  power  is  so  well  settled,  and  has  for  a  considerable  period  been 
BO  geiK'rally  acquieMcd  in,  that  it  is  not  deemed  necessary  to  reiterate  the 
argiiinentfl  by  which  it  is  sustained.  Nor  do  I  deem  it  necessary,  after 
the  fidl  and  eblmrate  discussions  which  have  taken  place  before  the  coun- 
try on  this  subject,  to  do  more  than  state  the  general  considerations  which 
have  satisfied  me  of  the  unconstitutionality  and  inexpediency  of  the  exer- 
cise of  such  a  power." 

"  That  tlie  power  in  question  is  not  properly  an  incident  to  any  of  the 
granted  powers,  I  am  fully  satisfied;  but  if  there  were  doubts  on  tliis  sub- 
ject, experience  has  demonstnted  the  wisdom  of  the  rule  that  all  the  func- 
tionaries of  the  F'cderal  Government  should  abstain  from  the  exercise  of 
all  questionable  or  doubtful  powers.  If  an  enlargement  of  the  powers  of 
the  Federal  (jovemmcnt  should  be  deemed  proper,  it  is  safer  and  wiser 
to  appeal  to  the  Htates  and  the  people  in  the  mode  prescribed  by  the  Con- 
stitution for  the  grant  desired,  than  to  assume  its  exercise  without  an 
amendment  of  the  Constitution.  If  Congress  does  not  possess  the  gene- 
ral power  to  construct  works  of  internal  improvement  within  the  States, 
or  to  appropriate  money  from  the  treasury  for  that  purpose,  what  is  there 
to  exemp'  some,  at  least,  of  the  objects  of  appropriation  included  in  this 
bill  from  the  operation  of  the  general  rule  ?.  This  bill  assumes  the  exist- 
ence of  the  power,  and  in  some  of  its  provisions  asserts  the  principle  that 
Congress  may  exercise  it  as  fully  as  though  the  appropriations  which  it 
proposes  were  applicable  to  the  construction  of  roads  and  cxnals.  If 
there  be  a  distinction  in  principle,  it  is  not  perceived,  and  should  be  clearly 
defined.  Home  of  the  objects  of  appropriation  contained  in  this  bill  ure 
local  in  their  character,  and  lie  within  the  limits  of  a  single  State  ;  and 
though.  In  the  language  of  the  bill,  they  are  called  harbors,  they  are  not 
connected  with  foreign  commerce,  nor  are  they  places  ot  refuge  or  shelter 
for  our  navy  or  commercial  marine  on  the  ocean  or  lake  shores.    To  call 


»!rf^ 


HISTORY     or     THE 


r<»n;/hly  examined,  and  the  corruptions  of  the  sys- 
Uftm^  which  expended  money  in  pai-ticuhir  sections, 


(111*  mnnfh  of  a  creek,  or  a  shallow  inlet  on  our  coanto  n  ^-trlior,  cannot 
(Wnt'cr  the  anthnrity  to  expend  the  public  money  in  its  imp  ?mcnt.  Con 
jpv^n  havt'  exercised  the  power  coeval  with  the  ConAtitutioii,  of  cf*tabliHh- 
inur  liifht-hniiHCs,  hcaconH,  buoys,  and  piers,  on  our  ocean  and  lake  xhorcs, 
frtr  the  purpose  of  rendering  navigation  Hafe  and  easy,  and  of  afTDrding 
[)mr<»ction  iind  nhelter  for  our  navy  and  other  shipping.  These  are  safe- 
sfiiiirdu  pliired  in  existing  channels  of  navigation.  After  the  long  acqui- 
(•w^nce  of  the  Government  through  all  preceding  adminiBtration.H,  I  am 
not  iljHpnsef)  to  question  or  disturb  the  authority  to  make  appropriations 
fnr  *\\c\\  purposes." 

"  When  we  advance  a  step  beyond  this  point,  and  in  addition  to  the 
ftftiililinhment  and  support,  by  appropriations  from  the  treasury,  of  light- 
hoiwi>!i,  lv>;irons,  buoys,  piers,  and  other  improvements  within  the  liays, 
inlets  iinH  harbors  on  our  ocean  and  lake  coasts,  immediately  connected 
#ith  our  foreign  commerce,  and  attempt  to  make  improvements  in  the  in- 
ferior .It  point.s  unconnected  with  foreign  commerce,  and  where  they  are 
rtnf  iiepHod  for  the  protection  and  security  of  our  navy  and  commercial 
mnrlne.  the  difficulty  arises  in  drawing  a  line  beyond  which  appropriations 
may  not  be  made  by  the  Federal  Governmeot." 

"  ft  nrrf,  only  leads  to  a  consolidation  of  power  in  the  Federal  Govem- 
menr,  at  the  expense  of  the  rightful  authority  of  the  States,  but  its  inev- 
ilUhle  tendency  is,  to  embrace  objects  for  the  expenditure  of  the  public 
money,  which  are  local  in  their  charactei,  benefiting  but  few  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  common  treasury  of  the  whole.  It  will  engender  sectional 
fi»plina:s  ,ind  prejudices,  calculated  to  disturb  the  harmony  of  the  Union. 
fc  will  destroy  the  harmony  which  should  prevail  in  our  legislative  coun- 
«)Ir.  Tt  will  produce  combinations  of  local  and  sectional  interest,  strong 
«»nMg;h  when  united,  to  carry  propositions  for  appropriations  of  public 
money  which  could  not  of  themselves,  and  standing  alone,  succeed,  and 
rtannnt  fail  to  lead  to  wasteful  and  extravagant  expenditures." 

•'  ft  must  produce  a  disreputable  scramble  for  the  public  money,  by  the 
rtonflict  which  is  inseparable  from  such  u  system,  between  local  and  indi- 
vidnnt  Interests,  and  the  general  interest  of  the  whole.  It  is  unjust  to 
(Siose  Mtates  which  have  with  their  own  means  constructed  their  own  in- 
ttemnl  improvements,  to  make  from  the  common  treasury  appropriations 
("or  similar  improvements  in  other  States." 

"  fn  its  operation  it  will  be  oppressive  and  unjust  towards  those  States 
whose  representatives  and  people  either  deny  or  doubt  the  existence  of  the 
power,  or  think  its  exercise  inexpedient,  and  who,  while  they  equally  con- 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


399 


leaving  other  i)arts  of  the  Union  without  receiving 
the  aid  of  the  Government,  was  allucUid  to  * 


tribute  to  t)ie  treaBtiry,  cannot,  confiiMpntly  with  their  opinions,  enpigo  in 
the  general  competition  for  a  xhare  of  the  public  money.  Tlius  n  liirgo 
portion  of  the  Union  in  numbeni  and  in  geographical  extent,  contributing 
its  equal  proportion  of  taxeii  to  the  xupport  of  the  Governinotii.  would, 
under  the  operation  of  such  a  Bystem,  be  compelled  to  see  the  nHtioniU 
treasure— the  common  Btock  of  all — unequally  disbursed,  and  often  ini- 
providently  wasted  for  the  advantage  of  small  sections,  instead  of  being 
applied  to  the  great  national  purposes  in  which  all  have  a  common  interest, 
and  for  which  alone  the  power  to  collect  the  revenue  was  given.  Should 
the  system  of  internal  improvement*  proposed  prevail,  all  these  evils  will 
multiply  and  increase  with  the  increase  of  the  number  of  the  States,  nnj 
the  extension  of  the  geographical  limits  of  the  settled  portions  of  our 
country.  With  the  increase  of  our  numbers  and  the  extension  of  our 
settlements,  the  local  objects  demanding  appropriations  of  the  public  mo- 
ney for  their  improvement  will  be  proportionately  increased.  In  each 
case  the  expenditure  of  the  public  money  would  confer  benctits,  direct  or 
indirect,  only  on  a  section,  while  tliese  sections  would  become  daily  less 
in  comparison  with  the  whole." 

"  The  wisdom  of  the  framers  of  the  Constitution  in  withholding  power 
over  such  objects  from  the  Federal  GovemmL-nt,  and  leaving  them  to  the 
local  governments  of  the  States,  becomes  more  and  more  manifest  with 
every  year's  experience  of  the  operations  of  our  system." 

"  If  no  constitutional  objections  existed  to  the  bill,  there  are  others  of 
a  serious  nature  which  deserve  some  consideration.  It  appropriates  be- 
tween one  and  two  millions  of  dollars  for  objects  which  are  of  no  pressing 
necessity  ;  and  this  is  proposed  at  a  time  when  the  country  is  engaged  in 
a  foreign  war,  and  when  Congress,  at  its  present  session,  has  autiiorized 
a  loan,  or  the  issue  of  treasury  notes,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  war, 
to  be  resorted  to  if  the  '  exigencies  of  the  Government  shall  require  it.' 
It  would  seem  to  be  the  dictate  of  wisdom,  under  such  circumstances,  to 
husband  our  means,  and  not  to  waste  them  on  comparatively  unimportant 
objects,  so  that  we  may  reduce  the  loan  or  issue  of  treasury  notes,  which 
may  become  necessary,  to  the  smallest  practicable  sum.  It  would  seem 
to  be  wise,  too,  to  abstain  from  such  expenditures,  with  a  view  to  avoid 
the  accumulation  of  a  large  public  debt ;  the  existence  of  which  would 
be  opposed  to  the  interest  of  our  people,  as  well  as  to  to  the  genius  of  our 
free  institutions."— V'e/o  Mc.ssnfre  nf  Mr.  Polk,  Aii/rust  3d,  1846. 

*  Any  one  at  all  acquainted  with  the  management  which  is  resorted 
to  in  Congress,  for  the  purpose  of  passing  internal  improvenieht.  bills,  can 


^ 


400 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Unawed  by  the  Executive  veto,  the  House  of 
llepreseutatives,  on  the  20th  of  February,  1847, 
passed  a  bill  making  appropriations  to  the  amount 


at  once  appreciate  tlie  arguments  of  the  Executive.  To  obtain  appropria- 
tions of  money  to  be  ex^nded  in  a  congressional  district,  is  generally  a 
very  popular  movement  upon  the  part  of  a  Member  of  Congress.  His 
influence  and  usefulness  are  judged  by  the  amount  of  money  which  he 
can  procure  from  the  public  treasury,  to  be  expended  among  his  constitu- 
ents. He  consequently  employs  all  his  energy  in  having  a  clause  for  that 
purpose  inserted  in  the  appropriation  bill.  Those  who  have  no  scruples 
upon  the  subject,  ascertain  the  number  of  votes  which  are  necessary  to 
carry  a  bill  triumphantly  through  Congress.  The  votes  of  some  members 
are  counted  upon  as  a  matter  of  course,  because  they  are  in  favor  of  the 
doctrine  of  internal  improvements  by  the  General  Government.  While 
others,  who  favor  the  protective  policy,  gladly  avail  themselves  of  every 
opportunity  that  oflfers  to  appropriate  public  money,  for  the  purpose  of  cre- 
ating a  necessity  of  increasing  the  tariff,  to  supply  the  deficit.  If  these  two 
classes  do  not  combine  a  sufficient  number  to  insure  success,  the  support  of 
others  is  secured  by  making  appropriations  of  money  to  be  expended  within 
their  Congressional  districts,  The  requisite  number  thus  become  inter- 
ested, and  the  bill  passes.  This  is  a  state  of  political  profligacy,  deplora- 
ble, indeed,  and  the  contemplation  of  which  is  truly  painful.  While  the 
bill  which  received  the  Executive  veto  was  under  consideration  in  the 
House  of  Representatives,  an  appropriation  was  made  of  $5,000  for  the 
removal  of  the  obstructions  at  the  Crook,  in  the  harbor  of  Providence. 
Five  members  from  a  southern  State  voted  for  the  appropriation.'"  An 
amendment  was  then  offered  to  the  bill,  appropriating  $100,000  for  the 
cana".  round  the  muscle  shoals  in  the  Tennessee  river,  those  five  members 
voting  in  the  affirmative.  The  proposition  was  rejected,  and  one  of  them 
moved  to  reconsider  the  amendment  which  had  been  adopted  making  the 
oppropriation  of  $5,000  for  the  harbor  at  Providence,  and  voted  with  the 
other  four  for  its  reconsideration,t  and  they  all  finally  voted  against  the 
passage  of  the  bill. J  Two  of  these  gentlemen  were  committed  to  the 
doctrine  of  internal  improvements  by  the  General  Government ;  two  ad- 
vocated the  propriety  of  improving  the  Mississippi,  Ohio  and  Tennessee 
rivers,  and  all  would  have  voted  for  the  passage  of  the  bill,  if  the  appro- 
priation of  $100,000  to  the  Tennessee  river  had  been  inserted.  It  cannot 
be  doubted  that  if  the  appropriation  which  was  asked  for  the  Tennessee 


*  Congressional  Globe,  let  session  39th  Congress,  p.  534. 
t  Ibid.  p.  525.  t  Ibid.  p.  530. 


^e^ 


"w  •  '•?■ 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


401 


of  ^600,000,  for  river  and  harbor  improvements, 
by  a  vote  of  89  to  72.  This  bill  passed  the  Senate 
on  the  last  day  of  the  second  session  of  the  29th 
Congress.  The  President  did  not  avail  himself  of  his 
constitutional  privilege  to  defeat  the  measure  by  refu- 
sing to  approve  it,  because  it  was  passed  within  ten 
days  of  the  termination  of  the  session.  Undismayed 
by  tlie  denunciations  with  which  the  politicians  fierce- 
ly assailed  him,  and  by  the  abuse  which  teemed  fi'om 
the  press,  he  again  boldly  met  the  question,  and 
defeated  the  bill  by  the  exercise  of  the  veto  power.* 
In  that  message,  which  probably  displayed  greater 
stretch  of  thought,  and  more  thorough  investigation, 
than  any  other  state  paper  which  he  ever  prepared, 


river  had  been  noccssary  to  insure  the  passage  of  the  bill,  it  would  have 
been  pftanted  without  the  least  hesitation.  The  friends  of  the  bill  had  suffi- 
cient strength,  however,  to  insure  its  success,  and  the  sum  oi"  $100,000 
was  not  unnecessarily  thrown  away.  Such  are  the  fruits  of  l  system  of 
legislation  which,  unices  arrested,  will  produce  an  unscrupulous  scramble 
for  the  public  money,  resulting  in  exorbitant  taxation,  and  financial  em- 
barrassment and  ruin.  Wiiat  makes  the  policy  still  more  dangerous  and 
reprehensible,  is  the  readiness  with  whiLh  members  yield  to  the  current, 
and  give  utterance  to  the  sentiment  that  while  others  are  helping  their 
constitiicnts  so  bountifully,  they  will  put  their  bunds  also  into  the  treasury. 
The  clamor  which  is  raised  in  the  halls  of  Congress  for  n  system  of  in- 
ternal iinprovetnents  is  as  mortifying  as  it  is  deplorable.  It  places  sove- 
reign Stated  in  the  position  of  mendicants,  claiming  the  bounty  of  the 
General  Government.  The  demand  for  more  money  is  made  with  as  much 
assurance  as  though  to  yield  it  is  the  plain  and  undeniable  duty  of  Con- 
gress. Immense  sums  are  called  for  with  as  much  sang  froid  as  if  the 
revenue  rained  into  the  treasury,  instead  of  being  exacted  from  the  people. 
No  circumstances  will  prevent  Congress  from  making  these  appropriations. 
The  bill  which  was  vetoed  by  the  Executive,  proposed  an  appropriation  of 
$1,378,460  to  objects  of  no  pressing  necessity,  at  a  time  when  the  Govern- 
ment was  contracting  loans  for  the  prosecution  of  the  Mexican  war.^ 
Aulhrr. 

*  Veto  message  of  Jlr.  Polk,  December  16th,  1847. 

26 


nil  l|iui|,ivi|||piij 


^ 


«^ 


402 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


he  examined  at  length  the  origin  and  progress  of 
the  doctrine  of  internal  improvements.  He  com- 
mented upon  the  rapid  strides  which  were  made 
during  the  twenty  years  preceding,  in  favor  of  that 
system* 

To  show  that  the  States  are  not  without  a  reme- 
dy, so  far  as  the  improvements  of  rivers  and  harbors 
are  concerned,  it  is  only  necessary  to  examine  the 
powers  which  the  Constitution  authorizes  Congress 
to  confer  upon  the  Siates.f  When  the  draft  of  the 
Constitution  was  under  consideration  in  the  Conven- 
tion, it  was  proposed  by  M,  Madison,  that  the 
clause  restraining  the  States  from  laying  duties 
upon  imports  should  be  transferred  from  the  article 
authorizing  Congress  to  sanction  the  act,  to  another 
which  made  the  prohibition  absolute.  This  motion 
was  rejected,  and  Congress  can  now  authorize  the 
States  to  lay  imposts  or  duties  upon  imports  or  ex- 
ports, with  the  condition,  however,  that  the  net  pro- 
ceeds shall  be  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  United 

♦  "  The  policy  of  embarking  the  Federal  Government  in  a  general  sys- 
tem of  internal  improvements  i;ad  its  origin  but  little  more  than  twenty 
yearn  ago.  In  a  vrry  few  years  the  applications  to  Congress  for  appropri- 
ations in  furtherance  of  such  objects  exceeded  $200,000,000." — Veto 
MenMf^r  nf  Mr.  Polk,  December  I5lh,  1817. 

f  "  No  State  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  Congress,  lay  any  imposts 
or  duties  on  imports  or  exports,  except  what  may  be  absolutely  necessary 
for  executing  its  inspection  laws ;  and  the  net  produce  of  all  duties 
ard  imposts  l.iid  by  any  State  on  imports  or  exports,  shall  be  for  the  use 
of  the  treasury  of  the  United  States ;  and  all  such  laws  shall  be  subject 
to  the  revision  and  control  of  the  Congress.  No  State  shall,  without  the 
consent  of  Congress,  lay  any  duty  of  tonnage,  kecjj  troops,  or  ships  of  war 
in  time  of  pcacO;  enter  into  any  agreement  or  compact  with  another  State, 
or  with  p  foreign  power,  or  engage  in  war,  unless  actually  invaded,  or  in 
such  imminent  danger  as  will  not  admit  of  delay." — Constilulion  of  the 
United  Stales. 


.1  nmm^m'TitrrfffVfmnm 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


403 


States*  But  the  power  granted  to  Congress  to  per- 
mit the  States  to  lay  duties  of  tonnage  is  subject  to 
no  such  restriction,  and  they  may  lay  duties  of  ton- 
nage, with  the  consent  of  Congress,  for  the  purpose  of 
improving  harbors  and  rivers.  This  power  has  been 
exercised  at  various  periods  since  the  year  I790.f 

*  Mr.  Madison  moved,  that  the  words  "  nor  lay  imposts  or  duties  on 
imports"  be  transferred  from  Article  13,  where  the  consent  of  the  general 
legislature  may  license  the  act,  into  Article  12,  which  will  make  the  pro- 
hibition on  the  States  absolute. 

Mr.  Sherman  "  thought  the  power  might  safely  be  left  to  the  legisla- 
ture of  the  United  States."    The  motion  was  rejected. 

Mr.  King  moved  to  insert  alter  the  words  "  imports,"  the  words  "  or 
exports,"  "  go  as  to  prohibit  States  from  taxing  either."  This  motion 
passed  in  the  affirmative. 

Mr.  Sherman  moved  to  add,  after  the  word  "exports,"  the  words, 
"  nor  with  such  consent,  but  for  the  use  of  the  United  States ;"  so  as  to 
carry  the  proceeds  of  all  State  duties  on  imports  or  exports  into  the  com- 
mon treasury.  This  motion  was  agreed  to— Madison  Papers  contain- 
ing Debates  of  the  Convention,  pp.  -486-7. 

t  Under  this  wise  system,  the  improvement  of  harbors  and  rivers  was 
commenced,  or  rather  continued,  from  the  organization  of  the  Government 
under  the  present  Constitution.  Many  acts  were  passed  by  the  several 
States  levying  duties  of  tonnage,  and  many  were  passed  by  Congress  giving 
their  consent  to  those  acts.  Such  acts  have  been  passed  by  Massachusetts, 
Rhode  Island,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South 
Carolina,  and  Georgia,  and  have  been  sanctioned  by  the  consent  of  Con- 
gress. Without  enumerating  them  all,  it  may  be  instructive  to  refer  to 
some  of  them,  as  illustrative  of  the  mode  of  improving  harbors  and  rivers 
in  the  early  periods  of  our  Government,  as  to  the  constitutionality  of  which 
there  can  be  no  doubt. 

In  January,  1790,  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  passed  a  law  levying 
tonnage  duty  on  vessels  arriving  in  the  port  of  Providence,  "  for  the  pur- 
pose of  clearing  and  deepening  the  channel  of  the  Providence  river,  and 
making  the  same  more  niiviiinble." 

On  the  2d  cf  February.  1 798,  the  State  of  Massachusetts  passed  a  law 
levying  tonnage  duty  on  all  vessels,  whether  employed  in  the  foreign  oi 
coasting  trade,  which  might  enter  into  the  Kennebunk  river,  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  same,  by  "  rendering  the  passage  in  and  out  of  said  river 
less  difficult  and  dangerous." 


JASPKll   J.IHUARV 


404 


HI8T0:^T     OF     THE 


a 


The  power  of  Congres  a  to  make  appropriations 
for  river  and  harbor  improvements,  is  far  from  being 
settled  question.    The  precedents  are  too  conflict- 

On  the  let  of  A|)ril,  1805,  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  passed  a  law 
levying  a  tonnage  duty  on  vessels,  "  to  remove  the  obstructions  to  the 
navigation  of  the  river  Delaware,  below  the  city  of  Philadelphia." 

On  the  23d  of  January,  1804,  the  State  of  Virginia  passed  a  law  levy- 
ing a  tonnage  duty  on  vessels,  "  for  improving  the  navigation  of  Jamea 
river." 

On  the  22d  of  February,  1826,  the  State  of  Virginia  passed  a  law  levy- 
ing a  tonnage  duty  on  vessels,  for  "  improving  the  navigation  of  James 
river,  from  VVanvick  to  Rockett's  Landing." 

On  the  8th  of  December,  1824,  the  S'lte  of  Virginia  passed  a  law 
levying  a  tonnage  duty  on  vessels,  for  "  improving  the  navigation  of  Appo- 
matox  river,  from  Pocahontas  bridge  to  Broadway." 

In  November,  1821,  the  State  of  North  Carolina  passed  a  law  levying 
a  tonnage  duty  on  vessels,  "  for  the  purpose  of  opening  an  inlet  at  the 
lov/er  end  of  Albemarie  Sound,  near  a  place  called  Nag's  Head,  and  im- 
proving the  navigation  of  said  Sound,  with  its  branches  -,"  and  in  Novem- 
ber, 1828,  an  emendatory  law  was  passed. 

On  the  2 1st  of  December,  1804,  the  State  of  South  Carolina  passed  a 
law  levying  a  tonnage  duty,  for  the  purpose  of  "  building  a  marine  hospi- 
tal in  the  vicinity  of  Charleston ;"  and  on  the  17th  of  December,  1816, 
another  law  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  ot  tliat  State,  for  the  "  main- 
tenance of  a  marine  hospital." 

On  the  lOth  c>f  February,  1787,  the  State  of  Georgia  passed  a  law 
levying  a  tonnagi;  duly  on  all  vessels  entering  in  the  port  of  Savannah, 
for  the  purpose  of  "  clearing"  the  Savannah  river  of  "  wrecks  and  other 
obstructions"  to  the  navigation. 

On  the  12th  of  December,  1804,  the  State  of  Cieorgia  passed  a  law 
levying  a  tonnage  duty  on  vessels,  "  to  be  applied  to  the  payment  of  the 
fees  of  the  harbor-master  and  health  officer  of  the  ports  of  Savannah  and 
St.  Mary's." 

In  April,  1783,  the  State  of  Maryland  passed  a  law  laying  a  ton- 
nage duty  on  vessels,  for  the  improvement  of  the  "  basin"  and  "  harbor"  of 
Baltimore,  and  the  "  river  Patapsco." 

On  the  26th  of  December,  1791,  the  State  of  Maryland  passed  a  law 
levying  a  tonnage  duty  on  vessels,  for  the  improvement  of  the  "  harbor  and 
port  of  Baltimore." 

On  the  28th  of  December  1793,  the  State  of  Maryland  passed  a  law 
authorizing  the  appointment  of  a  health  officer  for  the  port  of  Baltimore, 
and  laying  a  tonnage  duty  on  vessels  to  defray  the  expenses. 


POLK     ADMINISTEATIOW, 

ing,  and  the  interests  involved  too  nuiiu»:fli',i«»  to  in- 
dicate such  a  result.  In  the  <liscuis)si<^ju*  iVjIiowj  f.hat 
subject,  in  the  30th  Congress,  mui-h  abjJiiftj;  w^k  dis*- 
played  by  the  champions  uj)on  both  fsi(lU*^  "Tl^*^  ex- 
press and  implied  powers  which  ai'e  c<^iil'n»vi*i'li  l-.y  the 
Constitution  were  examined  in  evei-}'  ^,>n*.t,.  mt\  the 
sanction  which  had  been  given  in  \aju<>»w*-  ff')itwiH  to 
the  policy,  by  the  statesmen  who  had  oyyvj.iiftd  the 
presidential  chair,  was  shown.*    The  v*it/<>»»»  6^  Mr. 

Congress  have  passed  many  acts  giving  it*  "  constMtt''  tVv  t1i(»s»»  and 
other  State  laws,  the  first  of  which  is  dated  in  179U.  h<i<I  tliv  Ihuf  in  1843. 
By  the  latter  act,  the  "  consent"  of  Congress  was  given  tv  it*  Inw  ot'  f  ne 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  Maryland,  laying  a  ttmrnigf  tluy  An  wsscls 
for  the  improvement  of  the  harbor  of  Baltimore,  and  continMniy  if  in  force 
nntil  the  first  day  of  June,  1850.  I  transmit  herewith  «>piW(S(Ijtmh  rtf  the 
acta  of  the  Legislatures  of  the  States  on  the  subject,  and  uUvtin-tWu  ,\(  (Con- 
gress giving  its  "  consent"  thereto,  as  have  been  collul«d.''=^|f'.'/i»  W'usitqe 
<^Mr.  Polk,  December  15,  1847. 

*  "  Here,  then,  Mr.  Chairman,  we  find  General  Juck>rtni  ^owrr^ngf  the 
very  power,  and  specifying  the  identical  objects  of  tin*  upjttvjifiiit^oUK  made 
by  this  bill,  'the  improvement  of  our  harbors,  and  tlif  teumvtl  of  partial 
and  temporary  obstructiotis  in  our  navigable  rivers,  for  tii*-  j»»t<.i»fity  and 
facility  of  foreign  commerci '  — a  power  not  only  to  jiroiw'.  ibtri  tUfiiriliin/e 
commerce,  and  as  such,  exercisable  lor  its  conorui'imt.  («■  \\vi|l  »»  it« 
safety.  And  in  succeeding  pages  of  this  Messagf,  bf  luvj-i<K>vrt'ihe  rule, 
that  these  appropriations  should  Le  confiupd  to  the  rmuovtil  ^(!  .vlvtyMotions 
bekiw  ports  of  entry.  This  rule,  sir,  the  lionorablf"  giintlttttiMi  iVom  .Via- 
bama,  [Mr.  Yancey,]  told  us  on  yesterday,  that  lie  wiu-  wilUuf  fo  ,iHopt ; 
bnt  he  took  the  precaution  to  annex  a  qualification,  wlucii  is^WiU  lv>  found 
in  the  rule  itself,  as  laid  down  by  General  Jackson — u  i;ou(|i'.on  ^r  limifa- 
tion,  which,  if  ingrafted  upon  it,  would  imply  a  want  of  iMl-rtuiit^on  wholly 
inexcusable  on  the  part  of  that  great  hero  and  staleHumn.  Ifiit*'  cjfntleinnn 
insisted  that  General  .lackson  meant  ports  of  entry,  in  \\<U\'\l  rt(i«  proud 
ships  that  brought  the  cargo  across  the  ocean,  niiglil  milMr.  i«i|:  rtof  tlio«9 
established  where  an  Indian  canoe  would  scarcely  tK«tti .  :^^,.  \w:(b  not 
General  Jackson  aware,  at  the  time  that  he  prescrilwid  tli»  Tfn(i»  tiinf  ports 
of  entry  had  been  established  far  in  the  interior,  where  •Irtt*'  Jtiippinir  (En- 
gaged in  our  foreign  commerce  never  enlon^d.  and  conid  (M  i\\\nt  '  Did 
he  not  know  that  Pittsburg,  two  thousand  miles  distttut  kvtv  'tin  -ninlmnrd, 


^^w^r 


HISTOBY     OV    THK 

Polk  (lid  not  have  th(;  ifUVjirt  of  arrcr^ting  the  tide  of 
popular  feeling  in  fctvor  of  tlu;  Hyrtt<!iii ;  and  when- 
ever it  is  not  opi>o)sed  by  Kxc'cutive  |>ower,  it  will  be 

was  a  port  of  entry  ?  Wliat  doe*  \itt  t/tll  tut  in  the  port  of  the  llescage 
just  read?  'As  a  natural  amm'nwiirj;  of  t\ii',  increaw!  and  extcn.siun  of 
our  foreign  commerce,  portu  of  aitiry  luwi  iMivcry  iiave  l>een  miilliplied 
and  established,  not  only  on  tlte  iffnifiarii,  t;iit  in  (he  inhrior  of  the  coun- 
try /'  He  knew,  then,  tliat  tlie  |c>rt*  ii{  tntt.ry  fia/l  bften  established  In  the 
interior,  and  yet  makes  n<j  diM;riiiiiriati/«n  in  thfi  application  of  the  rule  be- 
tween any  of  them,  wljetlier  found  in  tl(«  int/rrior  or  on  the  sealxmrd  ! 

"  If,  sir,  General  Jackwn  Ijad  itiO^tiUnl  what  the  honorable  {jentieman 
from  Alabama  supposes,  why  did  ^n^  ntH.  rnak/;  the  rule  exclusively  appli- 
cable to  ports  of  entry  on  the  teiAtt»rA  7  Why,  at  the  very  moment  that 
his  attention  was  engrossed  \ty  tim  wlx»l<!  nn\iy,cX,  and  when  he  was  fash- 
ioning a  rule  to  govern  his  future  conAnrX,  tm\  especially  when  he  men- 
tioned the  multiplication  of  tit««<;  poftx,  did  he  w^  denignate  to  which  the 
rule  should  apply,  if  not  mXrnieA  Ui  lit-  f(<:tinTH\  1  No  reason  can  be  as- 
signed. It  is  therefore  rnanifeKt  tl«bt  (tewrai  Jackson  did  not  design  to 
limit  the  rule  to  those  portii  of  eiAry  <m\j,  in  which  cargoes  were  dis- 
charged from  the  gallant  vessel*-  tliat  nimU^  them  over  the  billows  of  the 
Atlantic.  And,  sir,  while  Gerieriil  hnkMiti  affirms  that  these  expenditures 
have  sometimes  been  extravagant,  «<*  far  (r(r  .  mterjosing  any  constitu- 
tional check  to  the  exercise  of  iim  fumitT  >»j  ''fmgres  i  to  make  such  ap- 
propriations, he  expressly  tells  us  that  h;  felt  j*.  hi«i  fl'.iy  tf>  '  assent  to  the 
bills  containing  them,'  and  to  '  M\'m,  in  lhi<  reupcct,  in  the  footsteps  of 
all  his  predecessors.'  This  power,  tliffii,  was  sanctioned  by  every  chief 
magistrate  of  the  country  who  priteMmi  him,  as  well  as  by  the  profound 
and  distinguished  statesman  (.Mr  Van  ISnren)  who  succeeded  him ;  and 
yet  honorable  gentlemen  assume  Ui  lUtivmncf  it  as  a  departure  from  Uie 
old  landmarks  of  the  republi'uin  party  !" — Sjf-i  .i  rifMr.  (UmMabh  of  Mary' 
land  in  the  House  of  R/!j)retmlatit/:»  itf  the.  Vniled  Slatef,  March  1  Uh, 
1846. 

"  I  derive  the  power  to  pa**  thi»  lyill  from  the  first  article  and  eighth 
section  of  the  Constitution,  and  tiitf  fimt  nfaiiM;  of  that  section,  which  reads 
as  follows :  '  The  Congress  shall  h«ve  ffiwnr  Ui  lay  and  collect  taxes,  du- 
ties, imposts,  and  ext- vs ;  Ut  pay  trt«  4ftitM,  and  provide  for  the  common 
defence  and  general  wi'ifnre  of  tlte  UttiteA  HiJites  ;  but  all  duties,  imposts, 
and  excises,  shall  be  unironiitfir(iii;(ftr«tit  the  l'nif/!«l  Htatos.'  It  is  no  an- 
swer to  me  to  say  thut  (his  gronrtd  hax  h»ren  taken  by  fodernlists,  by  the 
advocates  of  a  strong  srovorntnerrt,  l»y  (he  (t^tprmcnu  of  Hfnte  right",  &.c. ; 
that  it  has  been  explo<lcd,  or  is  mtti-feyuUiew.     I  profess  to  be  a  sincere 


^i'v.. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


407 


adopted  as  the  policy  of  the  land,  for  a  time  at 
least. 

The  national  domair  has  ever  been  a  subject  of 
great  interest  with  tht  vxovernment  and  people  of 

friend  to  the  union  of  these  States,  and  an  inflexible  advocate  of  the  largest 
liberty  of  the  citizen,  and  yet  I  believe  Congress  to  possess  the  power  of 
internal  improvement  under  this  clause  of  this  Constitution.  I  believe  the 
clause  10  be  big  with  meaning,  and  that  upon  its  proper  construction  may 
yet  depend  the  destinies  of  this  mighty  people.  I  believe  a  proper  and 
well-digested  system  of  internal  improvements  to  be  for  the  general  wel- 
fare of  the  United  States,  and  therefore  to  come  within  this  power  to  pro- 
vide for  the  general  welfare.  It  is  said,  however,  that  no  power  is  given 
by  this  clause,  except  that  to  raise  taxes,  &c.,  and  to  apply  them  to  the 
common  defence,  &c. ;  and  that  these  words,  common  defence  and  gene- 
ral welfare,  relate  to  the  subsequent  clauses  of  the  Constitution,  and  that 
they  were  at  best  rather  supererogatory  than  otherwise.  Now  I  deny  that 
the  words  to  raise  taxes,  &c.,  have  any  controlling  power  ever  tlie  other 
parts  of  the  sentence,  and  insist  upon  the  rules  both  of  grammar  and  of 
correct  criticism,  that  three  distinct  powers  are  given  under  this  clause, 
viz. :  1st,  to  loy  and  collect  taxes ;  2d,  to  pay  the  debts ;  and  3d,  to  pro- 
vide for  the  common  defence  and  general  welfare :  and  I  say,  further,  that 
the  expression  '  to  lay  taxes  to  provide  for  the  common  defence  and  gene- 
ral welfare,'  is  not  true  Anglo-Saxon  language,  according  to  the  gram- 
mars now  in  use  and  force.  To  lay  taxes  witli  which  to  provide,  &c., 
will  do,  and  yet  I  am  at  a  loss  to  perceive  the  necessity,  if  this  were  the 
meaning,  to  introduce  these  words,  common  defence  and  general  wel- 
fare, unless,  indeed,  they  were  to  meon  somuthing  more  than  what 
the  other  clauses  of  the  Constitution  embraced  ;  and  upon  this  latter 
supposition  it  would  be  very  little  material  whether  the  first  clause  of  the 
sentence  controlled  the  two  last  or  not ;  for,  if  taxes  are  to  be  raised  to 
provide  for  the  common  defence,  &c.,  and  these  last  words  are  not  re- 
stricted by  the  subsequent  parts  of  the  Constitution,  then  the  limit  to  the 
raising  of  taxes  is  only  what  Congress  may  deem  proper  for  the  common 
defence  and  general  welfare.  I  cannot  hold  that  the  words  here  used,  '  to 
provide,'  &c.  are  words  of  supererogation,  introduced  to  round  ofT  the  sen- 
tence. Such  a  supposition  is  totally  inconsistent  with  the  character  of  the 
instrument,  and  the  framefs  of  it — an  instrument  in  which  the  utmost 
chastity  and  precision  of  language,  and  freedom  from  all  superfluous  ver- 
biage, was  not  only  to  be  desired,  but  was  evidently  sought,  and  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  attained."— SpeecA  of  E.  H.  Ewing,  H.  of  R.  V.  S.,  March  16th, 
1846. 


.FASPKli   i-iiJllAllY, 

Orii;iii«!  MarcJi  l,lll^*ii 
lust*]   Air.  :iV'.»  la.iT 


'wm 


408 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


this  country.  There  have  been  acquired  hy  revolu- 
tion, treaty,  and  conquest,  vast  quantities  of  virgin 
soil,  out  of  which  have  been  carved  new  States.  A 
large  amount  still  remains  unoccupied,  over  which 
roams  the  native  tenant  of  the  ^vilds.  These  forests 
are  disappearing  before  the  advance  of  civilization, 
and  populous  cities  and  thriving  villages,  are  rajndly 
rising  along  the  plains  and  valleys  of  the  far  West. 
It  has  been  the  policy  of  many  of  our  public  men  to 
graduate  and  reduce  the  price  of  the  public  lands, 
so  that  each  of  our  frontier  settlers  could  obtain 
homes.*  While  others  have  been  opposed  to  this 
course,  either  for  the  purpose  of  contributing  to  the 
Treasury  of  the  United  States  the  greatest  amount 
of  money,  or  of  appropriating  the  proceeds  thereof 
to  distribution  among  the  States.f      • 


*  See  Messages  of  Jackson  and  Polk,  and  Speeches  of  Messrs. 
McClemand,  Bowlin,  and  others,  during  the  29th  and  30th  Congresses. 

t  Referring  to  the  instructions  of  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania, 
Mr.  Buchnnan  in  the  Senate,  August  12th,  1841,  said :  "  They  were  thua 
commanded  to  resist  every  attempt  to  deprive  Pennsylvania  of  her  just 
proportion  of  the  public  lands.  And  what  was  that  just  proportion  ?  She 
had  slated  in  clear  and  explicit  terms,  and  had  asserted  her  claim  in  the 
most  solemn  form,  to  such  a  portion  of  the  proceeds  of  these  lands  as  her 
federal  representative  population  would  bear  to  the  federal  representa- 
tive population  of  the  whole  Union  tmder  the  late  oensus." — Congressumal 
Globe,  \st  sesxinnmh  Congress,  328. 

"  51  r.  Allen  offered  the  following  amendment :  That  no  money  shall 
be  distributed  under  this  Act,  until  there  shall  be  a  surplus  in  the  Trea- 
sury, without  keeping  on  the  taxes  now  levied,  or  that  may  hereafter  be 
levied  upon  the  people,  in  the  form  of  duties  on  tea,  coffee,  salt,  and  other 
necessaries  of  life,  used  by  the  general  body  of  the  community." 

"  Yeas — Messrs.  Allen,  Benton,  Calhoun,  Clay  of  Alabama,  Fulton, 
King,  Linn,  McRobcrts,  Mouton,  Nicholson,  Pierce,  Sevier,  Tappan, 
Walker,  Williams,  Woodbury,  Wright,  and  Young,  18. 

"Nays — Messrs.  Archer,  Barrow,  Bates,  Bayard,  Berrian,  Choate, 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


409 


The  propriety  of  reducing  the  price  of  the  pub- 
lic lands,  and  granting  pre-emption  rights  upon  the 
most  liberal  terms  to  the  settlere,  was  recommentled 
by  Mr.  Polk  in  his  first  annual  message.*  These  views 

Clay  of  Kentucky,  Clayton,  Dixon,  Evans,  Graham,  Henderson,  Hunting- 
ton, Ker,  Mangum,  Merrick,  Miller,  Moorehcnd,  Phelps,  Porter,  Prentiss, 
Rives,  Simmons,  Smith  of  Indiana,  Southard,  Tallmadge,  White,  and 
Woodbridge,  28. — C(mgre$sional  Olobe,  extra  session  21  ih  Congress, 
357. 

*  "  Under  our  present  land  system,  limiting  the  minimum  price  at 
which  the  public  lands  can  be  entered,  to  one  dollar  and  twenty-hve  cents 
per  acre,  large  quantities  of  lands  of  inferior  quality  remain  unsold,  because 
they  will  not  command  that  price.  From  the  records  of  the  General  Land 
Office  it  appears,  that  of%ll  the  public  lands  remaining  unsold  in  the  several 
States  and  Territories  in  which  they  are  situated,  thirty-nine  millions  one 
hundred  and  five  thousand  five  hundred  and  seventy-seven  acres  have  been 
in  the  market,  subject  to  entry  more  than  twenty  years ;  forty-nine  mil- 
lions six  hundred  and  thirty-eight  thousand  six  hundred  and  forty-four 
acres,  for  more  than  fifteen  years ;  seventy-three  millions  seventy-four 
thousand  and  six  hundred  acres  for  more  t!ian  ten  years  ;  and  one  hun- 
dred and  six  millions  one  hundred  seventy-six  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
sixty-one  acres  for  more  than  five  years.  5Iuch  the  largest  portion  of 
these  lands  will  continue  to  be  unsaleable  at  the  minimum  price  at  which 
they  are  permitted  to  be  sold,  so  long  as  large  territories  of  land  from 
which  the  more  valuable  portions  have  not  been  selected,  are  annually 
brought  into  the  market  by  the  Government.  With  the  view  to  the  salQ 
and  settlement  of  these  inferior  lands,  I  recommend  that  the  price  be  gra- 
duated and  reduced  below  the  present  minimum  rate,  confining  the  galea 
at  the  reduced  prices  to  settlers  and  cultivators,  in  limited  quantities.  If 
graduated  and  reduced  in  price  for  a  limited  term  to  one  dollar  per  acre,  and 
after  the  expiration  of  that  period,  for  a  second  and  third  term  to  lower 
rates,  a  large  portion  of  these  lands  would  be  purchased,  and  many  worthy 
citizens,  who  are  unable  to  pay  higher  rates,  could  purchase  homes  for 
themselves  and  their  families.  By  adopting  the  policy  of  graduation  and 
reduction  of  price,  these  inferior  lands  will  be  sold  for  their  real  value, 
while  the  States  in  which  they  lie  will  be  freed  from  the  inconvenience,  if 
not  Injustice,  to  which  they  are  subjected,  in  consequence  of  the  United 
States  continuing  to  own  large  quantities  of  public  lands  within  their  bor- 
ders, not  liable  to  taxation  for  the  support  of  their  local  government. 

I  recommend  the  continuance  of  the  policy  of  granting  pre-emp- 
tions in  its  most  liberal  extent,  to  all  those  who  have  settled,  or  rnoy  here- 


^ 

^ 


M 


X 


f'^mmmiim' 


410 


HISTOBT     OP     THE 


were  enforced  in  each  of  his  annual  messages  to 
Congress,  with  an  eameatnesa  and  force  which 
proved  that  his  feelings  were  enlisted  in  that  mea- 
sure of  justice  and  reform. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  1846,  the  President  ap- 
proved a  bill  granting  the  right  of  pre-emption  to 
actual  settlers  on  the  lamLs  acquired  by  treaty  from 
the  Miurai  Indians,  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  and 
making  the  minimum  price  per  acre  two  dollars. 
On  the  same  day  an  act  was  approved,  authori2ing 
the  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office  to  de- 
termine, upon  principles  of  equity  and  justice,  all 
cases  of  suspended  entries  then  existing  in  the  land 
office,  and  to  decide  in  what  cases  patents  should 
issue  upon  them.  On  the  8th  of  May,  1846,  a  law 
was  passed  repealing  an  act  approved  April  5th, 
1832,  and  which  declared  that  no  pei-son  should  be 
permitted  to  enter  more  than  one  half  quarter  sec- 
tion of  land  in  quarter  sections,  in  his  own  name,  or 
in  the  name  of  any  other  person,  and  in  no  case,  un- 
less he  intended  it  for  cultivation,  or  for  the  use  of 
his  impi'ovement.  And  it  was  enacted  that  all  en- 
tries, selections,  or  locations  of  lands  suspended  in 
the  General  Land  Office  should  be  confirmed,  pro- 
vided they  were  in  all  other  respects  fair  and  regu- 
lar. On  the  11th  of  July,  1846,  a  law  was  passed 
conferring  power  upon  the  President  to  sell  the  re- 
served mineral  lands  in  the  States  of  Illinois,  Ar- 
kansas, and  the  Territories  of  Wisconsin  and  Iowa. 


after  settle,  on  the  public  lands,  whether  surveyed  or  nnsurveyed,  to  which 
the  Indian  title  may  have  been  extinguished  at  the  time  of  settlement. 
— Message  of  Mr.  Polk  to  Congress  December,  1846. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


411 


On  the  8th  of  AugUHt,  1846,  Congress  granted  to 
the  Territ<jry  of  Iowa  one  equal  moiety,  in  alternate 
Bf'ctioiiH  of  the  public  lands  remaining  unsold  and 
unincumbered,  in  a  strip  five  miles  in  width  on  eai;h 
side  of  the  Des  Moines  river,  for  the  improvement 
thereof  On  the  Ist  of  March,  1847,  a  law  waa 
enacted  by  Congress  authorizing  the  sale  of  the  mi- 
neral land  in  quarter  sections,  at  a  sum  of  not  less 
than  five  dollars  per  acre ;  and  on  the  3d  of  March, 
1847,  the  States  of  Michigan,  Illinois,  and  Arkansas, 
were  empowered  to  sell  the  salt  spring  lands  lying 
within  their  respective  boundaries.  By  the  provi- 
sions of  the  Act  of  February  11th,  1847,  it  was  de- 
clared that  each  non-commissioned  officer,  musician, 
or  private,  enlisted  or  to  be  enlisted  in  the  regular 
array,  or  regularly  mustered  into  any  volunteer 
company  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  twelve  months, 
who  ha<l  served  or  might  serve  during  the  war  with 
Mexico,  and  who  should  receive  an  honorable  dis- 
charge, or  had  been  killed  or  died  of  wounds  re- 
cei\ed,  or  sickness  incurred  in  the  course  of  such 
service,  or  who  Wius  discharged  before  the  expiration 
of  his  term  of  service,  in  consequence  of  wounds  re- 
ceived or  sickness  incurred  in  the  couree  of  such 
service,  was  entitled  to  receive  himself,  or  his  rela- 
tions in  case  of  his  death,  a  certificate  or  warrant 
from  the  War  Department  for  160  acres  of  land. 
This  act  of  justice  t<j  those  persons  who  had  so  gal- 
lantly rallied  under  the  standard  of  their  countiy, 
appropriated  imra(inse  tracts  of  the  public  domain. 
Notwithstanding  ihe  repeated  recommendations 
of  the  President  for  a  general  reduction  of  the  price 


Oruau)  March  1.1H34, 
tiist'?  Ai>r«  !5«'*  11137. 


4n 


HI8T0RY     OF     THE 


fii  thf.  pu>)lic  lands,  and  in  favor  of  a  more  liberal 
yA'uj  towards  the  actual  settlei-a,  no  radical  cliiinge 
waw  made  in  the  system  during  his  a(huinistniti<>n. 

The  administration  of  the  Post-()ftic(?  Dcpai-t- 
m^'-nt  was  conducted  with  great  vigcjr  during  the 
<*ntire  term  of  Mr.  Polk,  })y  Cave  Johnson.  Hcfore 
h*-.  was  appointed  to  preside  over  that  department, 
there:  had  been  a  radical  changt;  in  the  rates  of  post- 
age and  the  method  of  transmitting  the  mails. 

That  law  was  passed  on  the  3d  of  March,  1845, 
and  went  into  operation  on  the  1st  of  July  foUow- 
mg*  The  rates  of  postage  established  by  this  act 
tfyt  the  transmission  of  every  single  letter  in  maim- 
WTipt,  or  paper  of  any  kind  upon  which  information 
h  asked  for,  or  communicated  in  writing,  <fcc,,  were 
five  cents  for  any  distance  under  three  hundred 
miles,  and  for  more  than  that,  ten  cents.  The  Post- 
master General  was  <lirected  to  contract  for  the 
transportation  of  the  mail  with  the  lowest  bidder 
wh«^)  tendered  sufficdent  guarantees  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  his  duty,  without  any  reference  to 
the  mrxle  of  such  transportation,  excej)t  as  to  its  due 
celerity,  certainty,  and  security. 

Ff)r  the  purpose  of  avoiding  the  embarrassment 
which  might  result  from  a  falling  off  in  the  Post- 
f  >tfice  receipts,  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
Hhonsand  dollars  was  appropriated,  and  placed  to 
the  credit  of  the  Post-Office  Department  in  the 
j'reasnry  of  the  United  States,  to  supply  any  defi- 
ciency which  might  occur.     Not  only  was  the  close 

*  For  this  act,  see  United  States  Statutes  at  large,  by  Little  and 
Brown,  vol.  6,  p.  733, 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


413 


of  the  Inst  Heasion  of  the  2Sth  Congrcns  character- 
ized by  this  I'eductiou  of  j)(Hta<,'e,  but  a  hiw  wjus 
j)ii.ss«'(l  iiuthoriziug  the  IVwtiua.ster  (iencral  not  only 
to  make  arrangements  with  the  English  government 
for  the  traiiHnii.ssion  of  the  British  mail  between 
Btiston  and  Canada,  but  he  wa«  also  empowered  to 
make  arrangements  with  the  government '  of  France 
and  Germany  for  the  direct  transmissicjn  of  the 
mails  between  the  United  States  and  those  counti'ies. 
The  ])oi*ts  of  Bremen  in  the  latter  country,  and 
Havre  in  the  former,  were  designated  as  the  points 
where  the  mails  would  be  delivered.* 

Another  act  of  Congress  was  passed  on  the  3d 
of  March,  1845,  conferring  authority  upon  the  Post- 
master General  to  contract  for  the  ti-anspoitatlon  of 
the  United  States  mail  between  any  of  our  ports 
and  those  of  foreign  powers,  whenever,  in  his  oj  tin- 
ion,  the  public  interest  would  be  promoted  by  it. 
Tlie  contracts  were  to  be  made  with  citizens  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  mail  to  be  conveyed  in 
American  vessels.  A  ])reference  was  to  l)e  given  to 
such  bidders  for  the  contract  as  proposed  to  carry 
the  mail  in  steam>ihips,  the  contractor  stipulating  to 
deliver  the  shii>s  to  the  United  States,  upon  demand 
made,  for  the  purpose  of  being  converted  into  ves- 
sels of  war,  the  United  States  being  bound  to  pay 
to  the  owners  the  full  value  thereof.  The  Postmas- 
ter General  was  still  further  empowered  to  make 
contracts  for  a  period  of  not  more  than  ten  years, 
for  the  transportation  of  the  mail  from  one  point  to 
another  in  the  United  States  in  steamboats  by  sea, 

*  Little  and  Brown's  compilation  of  United  States  Laws,  vol.  5,  p.  718. 


.,1^  .|i)|qu^|ii  j,iwoii 


414 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  on  the  Mississippi  river 
to  New  Orleans.* 

Such  were  some  of  the  laws  which  governed  the 
Post-Office  Department  when  its  management  was 
assumed  by  Mr.  Johnson.  In  his  first  report  to 
Congress  he  disclosed  its  operations.f     By  a  com- 

♦  Little  and  Brown's  compilation  of  United  States  Laws,  vol,  6,  p.  748. 

REPORT  OF  THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL. 

Post-Office  DEi'ARTiiENT,  Doceml-er  1,  1846. 
Sir :  The  extent  of  the  post  routes  in  the  United  S'jites  over  which 
the  mails  were  transported,  on  the  30th  day  of  June  last,  was  143,844 
miles.  The  annual  transportation  of  the  mails  over  these  routes,  on  the 
same  day,  was  35,634,269  miles;  on  horseback  and  in  sulkies,  11,225,631 
miles ;  l)y  stage  and  coach,  17,924.046  miles ;  by  steamboats  and  railroads, 
6,484,592  miles ;  which  cost  the  United  States  $2,905,504. 


For  the  service  on  horseback  and  in  sulkies . 
For  the  service  in  c oac*"  "s  and  stages     . 
For  the  service  on  railroads  and  in  steamboats 
For  local  and  mail  agents,  and  mail  messengers  in- , 
cident  to  the  service  on  railroads  and  steamboats  ' 


$    648,482 

.     1,476,079 

843,430 

[        37,613 

$2,906,604 


The  number  of  contractors  on  that  day  in  the  service  of  the  department 
was  3,277 ;  mail  agents  30  ;  and  mail  messengers  1 14 ;  the  number  of  local 
agents  13 ;  all  connected  with  the  railroad  and  steamboat  service. 

It  is  gratifying  to  find  that,  whilst  the  annual  transportation  was  great- 
er for  the  year  ending  the  30th  of  June,  1846,  than  for  the  preceding 
year  by  224,645  miles,  the  cost  was  less  by  $62,791.  On  the  30th  of 
June,  1845,  there  were  14,183  post-offices.  There  were  established  du- 
ring thu  preceding  year  352  new  offices,  and  269  discontinued. 

On  this  day  the  number  is  14,003. 

There  were  appointed  d-jring  the  same  period,  3,033  postmasters : 
897  were  appointed  in  consequence  of  djaths  or  resignations  ;  17  in  con- 
sequence of  a  change  in  the  site  of  the  offices ;  753  removals  ;  14  where  the 
conmil»«icp.s  expired,  and  not  reappointed ;  362  by  the  establishment  of 
new  offices;  516  of  the  number  of  contractors  were  fined,  or  deductions 
made  from  ineir  pay  for  omissions  to  perform,  or  iyegularities  in  the  per- 
formance of  ti.oir  cotitracts,  which  amounted  to  $10,621  60,  after  deduct- 
ing the  'smissicn  of  fines. 


POLK     ADMINISTBATION. 


415 


parison  of  the  returns,  he  ascertained  that  there  was 
a  (liniinution  of  the  means  of  the  department  to 
meet  the  expenses  of  the  current  year  of  ^1,!523,097 
less  than  the  preceding  year.  The  cost  of  trans- 
porting the  mail,  however,  under  the  provisions  of 
the  new  law,  was  reduced  $2.52,732  for  the  year 
ending  30th  of  June,  1846,  in  New- York  and  iNew- 
England.  The  Postmaster  General  had  much  diffi- 
culty in  making  contracts  with  several  i-ailroad 
companies.  This  was  owing  to  the  fact,  that  the 
demand  on  their  part,  exceeded  the  rates  prescribed 
hy  the  act  of  Congress  of  March  3d,  184r).  ]\Ir. 
Johnson  recommended  the  ])assage  of  a  law  rerjuir- 
ing  the  prepayment  of  postages  upon  all  matter 
pftssing  through  the  mails,  asserting  that  the  trans- 
portation of  letters  is  at  the  request  of  the  person 
who  deposits  them  in  the  office,  and  the  risk  of  their 
delivery  should  not  be  thrown  upon  the  d  ;part- 
ment. 

In  his  report  to  the  President  on  the  7th  of  De- 
cember, 1846,  the  Postmaster  General  stated  with 
great  minuteness  the  operations  of  his  department. 
He  examined  the  annual  average  income  from  the 
Ist  of  Jidy,  1836,  to  the  30th  of  June,  1 84.5,*  and 

The  revenue  of  the  department  for  the  same  period  amoiinted  to 
$4,289,841  80.  The  expenditure  foi  the  same  time  amounted  to 
$4,320,731  99. 

Tiie  net  revenue,  after  deducting  the  commissions  of  postma  iters,  con- 
tingent and  incidental  expenses,  amounted  to  $2,942,217  27." — Repurl  nf 
the  Postmaster  (Seneral,  Decemher  \st,  1845. 

*  "  Sir :  The  general  interest  felt  in  tlie  operation  of  the  act  of  the 
3d  or  March,  1845,  on  the  revenues  and  expenditures  of  the  Post-Office 
Department,  induced  me  to  direct  the  Auditor  to  prepare  a  quarterly  stnte- 
ment  of  tiiem,  from  its  reorganization  in  1836,  to  the  30tri  of  June  last. 


^^^ 


41G 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


the  annual  average  expenditure  for  the  same  period  * 
It  ap])eared  that  the  mail  service  of  the  United 
States,  exclusive  c>f  Texas,  was  performed  at  that 


The  tables  accompanying  ttiis  report,  marked  A  and  B. 

From  tablo  A  it  appears  that  the  annual  averagr  income, 
from  the  1st  of  July,  1836,  to  the  30th  of  June,  1846, 
amounted  to  tho  sum  of $4,364,624  65 

Whilst  the  income  for  the  year  ending  the  30th  of  June, 

1 846,  the  first  under  the  new  law,  amounted  to         .       3,''>87,199  35 

"  Making  a  loss  of  revenue  the  first  year  under  the  new 
when  compared  with  the  annual  average  of  the  nine 
preceding  years,  of 877,425  30 

"  And  making  a  loss  of  revenue  the  first  year  under  the 

new  law,  as  compared  with  the  preceding,  of    .        .         802,642  45 

"  The  revenues,  as  above  stated,  include  the  postages  paid 
on  matter  which  went  free  through  the  mails  prior  to 
the  passage  of  the  late  law,  of  which  no  account  was 
kept  prior  to  the  commencement  of  the  last  fiscal 
year.  This  diminution  of  the  revenues  of  the  De- 
portment arises  principUy  from  the  loss  on  letter 
postage,  which,  when  compared  with  that  of  the  pre- 
ceding year,  amounted  to 778,533  64 

"  Being  the  entire  loss  sustained  by  the  Department,  ex- 
cept        $24,108  81 

'  No  inconsiderable  portion  of  this  deficiency  in  the  revenues  of  the 
past  year,  may  be  traced  to  other  tr.uses  than  a  reduction  of  the  rates  « : 
postage  by  the  act  of  the  Sd  of  March,  1845.'' 


♦  "  Table  B  exhibits  the  expenditures  quarterly  under 
the  appropriate  heads.  From  this  it  will  be  seentiiat 
the  annual  average  expenditure  from  the  1st  of  July, 
1836,  to  the  30th  of  June,  1845,  amounted  to 

"And  the  expenditure  for  the  year  ending  30th  of  June, 
1846 — tiie  first  year  under  the  new  law — to  the  sum 
of 

"  Making  a  reduction  fc  r  the  first  year,  Mnder  the  new 
law,  when  compated  with  the  annual  averaj-  i  exfuai- 
diture  of  the  nine  preceding  years. 


$4,499,693  68 


4,084,297  22 


$4!..>96  36 


■n 


> 


64 


81 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


417 


^ 

"i 


time  by  3,530  contractoi's  on  4,285  post  routes,  the 
aggregate  length  of  which  was  149,079  miles. 
That  exceeded  the  amount  of  the  service  rendered 
the  previous  year  in  lergth  of  routes,  5,739  miles, 
Init  at  a  cost  of  $202,013  less  than  the  year  before. 
This  was  occasioned  by  the  reduction  of  price  for 
carrying  the  mails  in  New- York  and  New-England, 
under  the  operation  of  the  law  of  March  3d,  1845. 
A  similar  reduction  of  price  for  the  transportation 
of  the  mails  in  the  Northwestern  and  Southwestern 
States  and  Territories  Avas  effected,  amounting  to 
$223,901  per  annum.  Nearly  one  tliird  of  the  post- 
masters in  the  United  States  resigned  their  oifices 
under  the  operations  of  the  act  of  1845,  owing  to 
the  diminished  compensation  which  that  law  gave 
them. 

Contracts  had  been  made  for  the  transportation 
<-■  the  mails  between  New- York  and  Bremen,  and 
•ho  Ocean  steamers  were  rapidly  progressing  for 
that  purpose.     On  the  19th  of  June,  1846,  a  law 


■f 


96  36 


"  And  Willi  rnmpared  with  the  expenditures  of  the  pre- 
vious year,  a  reduction  of  .  .        .  .  $236,437  11 

"The  whole  expenditure  for  the  year  cndinr;  the  30th  of 

June,  1846,  amounted  to 4.084,297  22 

"  The  income  for  the  same  time,  including  the  postages 
paid  by  the  different  branches  of  the  Executive  Go- 
vernment, amounted  to         3,487:199  35 

"  Leaving  a  deficiency  of  revenue  of     ...        .      $697,097  87 

"  The  deficiency  was  supplied  by  drafts  from  the  treasu- 
ry, as  the  service  required,  ....  660,000  00 

"  Leaving  a  balance  in  hand  on  the  Ist  of  July,  of  the 
moneys  drawn  from  the  treasury  during  the  fiscal 
year,  of $52,902  23 

Report  if  the  Postmaster  General,  December  8th,  1846. 
27 


418 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


"Uised,  autliorizing  the  Postmaster  General  to 
apj  ^  §2,5,000  for  a  line  of  mail  steamers  from  the 
United  States  to  that  city ;  and  on  the  2d  of  Maicli, 
1847,  there  was  appropriated  §258,009  to  enaljle 
the  Postmaster  General  to  comply  with  the  con- 
tract made  with  Edward  Mills  for  that  purjiose. 
By  the  act  approved  July  10th,  1848,  the  Postr 
master  General  was  authorized  to  pay  §400,(»00  for 
the  same  object,  and  for  the  transportation  of  the 
mails  betv/een  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  by  way 
of  Key  West,  $50,000  was  appropriated.  On  the 
30th  of  June,  the  post  routes  in  operation  in  the 
TInited  States  were  in  extent  153,818  miles,  and 
the  amiual  transportation  of  the  mails  over  them 
was  38,887,899  miles  *  The  increase  in  the  extent 
during  the  year  ending  the  30th  of  June,  1847,  was 
9,878  miles,  and  in  the  transportation,  3,253,030 
miles,  Tlie  contracts  for  carrying  the  mail  in  Vir- 
ginia, North  and  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Flo 
lida,  was  made  at  a  reduction  of  price  amounting 
to  §108,097  per  annum.  The  exjjenditures  for  the 
year  ending  the  30th  of  June,  1847,  amouiited  to 
$3,979,570  03,  being  $33,077  32  more  than  the 
I'evenues.  Tliese  facts  confirmed  the  warmest  anti- 
cipations of  the  friends  of  clieap  postage,  and  con- 
verted the  Postmaster  General  himself  into  a  suj>- 
porter  of  the  system. 

The  establishment  of  the  line  of  mail  steamers 
between  the  United  States  and  Europe,  was  op- 
posed }»y  an  act  of  illil)erality  upon  the  j)art  of 
Great  Britain.     An  order  was  issued  on  the  9th  of 

*  Report  of  the  Postmaster  General,  Decemlier  6th,  1847. 


POLK     AVillJUSTHAJfO^Sf^ 


419 


June,  1847,  by  the  (lirectiou  <.>f  tW  i/i^fU  of  the 
Tiviusury,  subjecting  all  lettej's  and  iw^w*^.«ipK«-T»s  tak^-n 
by  the  Washington  t(j  England,  to  tU*'  -irtii^w  rate  of 
postage  as  if  they  had  been  cuuxeynd  m  ik&  Bntish 
steamers,  at  their  own  expense*  'iflUtr-  (*y>fif\nct  of 
our  Government  towards  that  of  ih-hiiH  Jft?itf.airi  had 
been  characterized  by  great  libeiaJity..  Ati^  as^ree- 
ment  had  been  made  in  lb44,  authoriaiiiijf  flfw^  trans- 
mission of  the  British  closed  luwJ*  ito'  (Canada 
through  the  United  States.  \^'he.u  Mt).  .folinsion 
was  informed  of  the  order  issued  l>y  i'^  B/)rds  of 
the  Treasury,  he  promptly  annuJled  itA**-  ^ijyreement 
of  1844. 

An  express  line  was  estaljlished  m  M<'»rtfrenl  for 
the  purpose  of  transmitting  letteiv  tv  ^^  British 
steamei-s  through  the  Unitfi  H'tate*.,  aiiii«'ll  ir\  this 
way  it  was  intended  to  defeat  tike  p.)ffiii*.y  adopted 
by  the  Postmaster  General.  J^ut  i&i^  wftve  mis- 
taken in  supposing  that  they  could  ftflu'»«j»H  his  de- 
signs. Orders  were  communicated  !fii:'.mi  like.  FV)st- 
Office  Department  to  the  officejis  *«t«tii',tt<»t'l  along 
the  line,  to  prevent  this  violation  of  i'^  iWwst,  and 
persons  were  arrested  having  iu  itJlikeiiir  j)i'>Nsession 
mails  for  the  British  steamers. 

The  post  routes  in  operation  witllwu  Itft**  ITnited 
States  on  the  30th  of  June,  184X,  «*U(»r  M;^,208 
miles  in  extent,  and  the  annual  tj'aAi«^,»<,ifHa*ion  of 
the  mails  over  them  was  41,(»12,5'y  iwlW..  There 
was  an  increase  in  the  length  of  the  iiK.<wt<^  during 
the  preceding  year  of  lt,390  miles,  atufl  :Wi.  increase 
on  the  amountof  annual  transpoj-taii«^^,^',j;,.i: 24,680 

*  Report  of  the  Postmaster  General,  December  ■^tl).  a<t>ilT. 


420 


UI«TOBir     or     THE 


miles.*  The  contnu^tM  math-,  for  the  conveyance  of 
the  mails  in  'Stiw-Jurinty,  IVnnHylvania,  Delaware, 
Maryland  ami  Ohio,  wi^itt  ifitr»  f>|)f;ration  on  the  1st 
of  July,  1848.  The  and  to  the  (Jovemment  was 
$61,074  less  than  the  pre<.';«liri^  year.  The  opera- 
tions of  three  yearc  un<hfr  th«^  act  of  March  3d, 
1845,  exhibited  an  au{r«Mfntation  of  the  mail  ser- 
vice IT)  per  cent,,  and  the  cmt  for  the  same  time 
was  dinnnished  l.'>/«  jht  (;ent. 

The  assign<ies  of  the  contract  for  conveying  the 
mails  to  San  Franci>ico,  hsv\  comjileted  on  the  4th 
of  De  ttinbei',  184H,  the  nurnher  of  steamers  re- 
quired by  the  contrmrt,+  and  they  sailed  from  New- 
York  for  the  purjMwe  of  <!ngHging  in  the  service. 
The  steamers  which  lja<l  l»een  built  to  convey  the 
mails  from  New- York  ttt  Havana  and  Chagres,  were 
launched  and  nearly  rea/ly  to  take  their  place  in 
the  line.  The  steaifK^r  Fahfon  sailed  from  New- 
York  in  time  to  deliver  lier  mails  at  Chagres,  in 
season  for  their  tratwrniiwion  to  Panama,  to  meet 
the  Pacific  steamer  tliat  wtm  to  touch  at  that  place, 

The  Secretary  of  tlie  Navy  was  directed  to  ao 
cept  the  proposals  whicli  had  been  made  by  E.  K 
Collins,  to  the  PoHtnmKt<;r  (ieneral,  for  the  tranS' 
poiiation  of  the  United  Htat^-s  mail  between  NeW' 
York  and  Liverp<Kil,  The  Hircretary  of  the  Navy 
was  also  instructed  to  wrtitnwrt  with  A.  G.  Slow,  for 
the  transpoi'tation  of  tlie  mail  from  New- York  to 
New-Orleans  twice  a  mr>nth  and  bjick,  tf)uching  at 
Charleston,  Savannah  and  Havana,  and  from  the 


*  Report  of  the  Poi!tnui«t<?r  (Uffn^,  l>f!C*rrnf)fn' 2(1,  1848. 
t  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  tim  .Vavy,  Deccmter  4th,  1848. 


POLK     ADJtINISTRATION. 


421 


latter  place  to  Chagres  and  back  twice  a  month. 
He  was  also  empowered  by  that  act,  to  make  ar- 
rangements to  convey  the  mail  from  Panama  to 
some  point  in  the  territory  of  Oregon  once  a  month 
each  way.*  An  appropriation  Avas  subsecpiently 
made  of  $874,600  for  carrying  the  contracts  into 
effect.f  The  contracts  which  were  made  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  required  the  steam  vessels 
to  be  ready  for  sei-vice  in  October  and  November, 
1848.  The  annual  compensation  under  those  agree- 
ments were,  to  Collins  $380,000 ;  to  Slow  $290,000; 
to  Arnold  Harris  $199,000. 

Thus  mail  routes  were  extended  throughout  the 
interior  of  the  country,  wherever  the  necessities  of 
the  case  required  them  to  afford  facilities  for  the 
transmission  of  intelligence,  and  the  diffusion  of 
knowledge.  Ocean  steam  ships  were  employed  to 
carry  the  mails  of  the  United  States  to  Liver{)ool- 
and  Bremen,  to  Chagi'es  and  California.  Tlie  most 
enlarged  and  liberal  enterprises  followed  fast  upon 
the  establishment  of  cheap  postage,  and  the  wants 
of  the  people  throughout  this  extended  confederacy 
were  supplied,  and  thus  still  farther  illustrated  this 
age  of  progress. 

During  the  year  184.5,  the  American  squadron 
in  the  Mediterranean  consisted  of  the  Cumberland 
and  the  Plymouth,  under  the  command  of  Conmio- 
dore  Smith.;}:  The  African  squadron  was  organized 
by  Commodore  Perry,  who  was  relieved  by  Com- 

♦  liittle  &  Brown's  compilotion  of  the  United  States  Statutes  at  lurge. 

t  Act  of  August  3(1,  1848.— //)i'(/. 

I  Report  of  tlie  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  December,  1847. 


Inst  '    Aj  :  .  lii.'i  1JM-. 


!■■  .1  I  HV J """WHiPWIii^^' 


422 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


modore  Skinner  in  the  Jamestown.  Tlie  Preble 
and  the  Truxton  v/ere  ordered  to  return  home,  and 
the  Southampton,  the  Marion,  Dolphin,  and  Boxer, 
were  ordered  to  su})i)ly  their  j:)laces.  Commodore 
Read,  in  the  Cumbei-land,  proceeded  in  January  to 
relieve  the  Jamestown  and  Yorktown,  which  were 
ordered  to  the  Mediterranean.  On  the  Brazil  sta- 
tion, Commodoi-e  Kousseau  was  directed  to  succeed 
Commodore  Turner,  in  command  of  the  Columbia, 
the  Saratoga,  the  Plymouth,  and  the  Bainbridge. 
Commodore  Parker  returned  from  a  very  successful 
cruise  upon  the  Asiatic  station,  in  September,  1845, 
with  the  Brandywine,  the  St.  Louis,  and  the  Periy. 
In  May,  of  that  year.  Commodore  Biddle  sailed  for 
the  East  Indies,  with  the  Columbus  ship  of  the  line, 
and  the  Vincennes.  The  Pacific  squadron,  consist- 
ing of  the  Savannah,  the  Levant,  the  Warren,  and 
the  Shark,  was  under  the  command  of  Commodore 
Sloat,  while  the  home  squadron,  consisting  of  the 
Potomac,  the  Falmouth,  the  Vandalia,  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  the  Somers,  was  under  the  command  of 
Commodore  C(mner.  That  force  was  increased  by 
the  Princeton  and  Porpoise,  the  St.  Marys  and  the 
Saratoga,  under  Commodore  Stockton,  and  soon 
after  by  the  John  Adams,  and  the  steam  ship  Mis- 
sissippi. The  Secretary  of  the  Navy  on  the  5th  of 
December,  1846,  in  his  annual  report  to  the  Presi- 
dent, referred  to  the  disposition  which  had  been 
made  of  the  United  States  navy  during  the  prece- 
ding year.  No  naval  force  had  been  maintained  in 
the  Mediterranean.  Commodore  Biddle,  with  the 
Columbus  and  Vincennes,  visited  various  places  in 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


423 


the  Cliina  seas.  Commodore  Skinner  was  relieved  on 
the  coast  of  Africa  by  Commodore  Read,  while 
Kousseau  continued  in  command  of  the  Brazil  sta- 
tion, and  Commodore  Sloat  was  in  command  of  the 
Pacific  squadron.  On  the  7th  of  June,  1846,  Sloat, 
while  at  Mazutlan,  was  informed  of  the  commence- 
ment of  hostilities  between  the  United  States  and 
Mexico,  and  sailed  for  California.  On  the  7  th  of 
July  he  demanded  the  surrender  of  Monterey,  which, 
not  being  complied  with,  he  landed  a  force  from  the 
squadron,  and  took  possession  of  the  place  by  a 
bloodless  achievement.  On  the  9th,  Commander 
Montgomeiy,  of  the  sloop  Pljnnouth,  seized  San 
Francisco.  About  this  time  Stockton  arrived,  and 
succeeded  Sloat  in  the  command  of  the  squadron. 
On  the  13th  of  August,  Stockton  and  Fremont  cap- 
tured Ciudad  de  los  Angeles ;  and  before  the  close 
of  that  month,  California  Avas  in  the  undisputed  pos- 
session of  the  American  forces. 

In  the  meantime,  an  eft'ective  squadron  was  con- 
centrated in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  After  the  decla- 
ration of  war  of  the  loth  of  May,  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  directed  the  home  squadron  to  blockade 
the  principal  ports  of  the  enemy  on  the  Gulf.  Two 
unsuccessful  attempts  Avere  made  by  Commodore 
Conner  to  capture  Alvarado,  one  on  the  7th  of  Au- 
gust, and  the  other  on  the  15th  of  October.  This 
was  the  place  subsequently  captured  without  loss, 
by  Lieutenant  Hunter,  and  for  Avhich  he  was  found 
guilty  by  a  Court  of  Inquiry.  On  the  ICth  of  Oc- 
tober, Commodore  Perry,  with  the  steamer  ]\Iissis- 
sippi,  and  the  small  vessels  belonging  to  the  squad- 


JASri:U  I.IliUAUY, 
Oruaii)  March  l.l».^*li 

Tust'J  Apr.  iSM^i  ia3  7* 


m 


IIISTOBY     OF     THE 


roil,  captured  Fronteira,  sailed  up  the  river,  and 
took  Tabasco.  On  the  14tli  of  Noveni})er,  Tampico 
surrendered  to  Commodore  Conner,  It  was  upon 
this  occasion  that  the  2)atriotism  and  daring  of  Mrs. 
Ann  Chase,  Avife  of  th(!  American  Consul  at  Tam- 
pico, was  conspicuously  disj)layed.  As  the  squad- 
ron approached  the  town,  she  heroically  dis- 
played the  American  flag,  under  circumstances 
calculated  to  appal  the  stoutest  heart,  and  won  for 
herself  a  national  reputation.  About  that  time,  the 
brig  Truxton Avas lost,  and  her  officers  and  crew  be- 
came prisonei-s  to  the  Mexicans,  })ut  were  subse- 
quently exchanged  for  fJeneral  La  Vega,  and  seve- 
ral officers  Avho  were  taken  with  liim  at  the  battle 
of  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  The  brig  Perry  was  also 
wrecked. 

During  the  year  1847,  not  more  than  8,000  men 
were  at  any  oiu;  time  in  the  naval  service.*  The 
difficulty  in  procuring  sailors  to  man  our  vessels  of 
war,  was  owing  to  the  great  activity  -in  the  mer- 
chants' service,  the  increjised  price  paid  for  the 
transportation  of  goods,  and  th«:  high  wages  i)aid  to 
the  seamen.  Squadrons  were  maintained  during  the 
year  1847  in  the  Mediterranean,  upon  the  coast  of 
Africa,  at  Rio  Janeiro,  in  the  Pacific,  and  upon  the 
Gulf  coast.  The  most  exciting  service  Avhich  had 
been  performed  for  yeai-s  by  the  American  navy, 
was  enacted  upon  the  Mexican  coast.  On  th(3  21st 
of  March,  1847,  Commodore  Conner,  whose  health 
had  become  impaired  by  his  service  in  that  climate, 
devolved  the  command  of  the  home  squadron  upon 

*  Reoort  of  the  Secretary  of  tlie  Navy,  December,  1847. 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION. 


425 


-^' 


Lst 


Commodore  Perry.  Tliis  enterprising  officer  faith- 
fully (lincharged  his  duty  during  the  re  .uiinder  of 
tlie  camjmign,  llie  operations  of  the  s(|vnidr()n  l)e- 
fore  Vera  Cruz,  and  the  service  jjcrforuied  by  the 
seamen  on  sliore,  greatly  assisted  in  the  cuptuie  of 
the  formidalile  castle  of  San  Juan  d'Ulloa.  During 
that  year  the  y)rig  Somers  wtvs  lost,  making  the  third 
vessel  which  had  been  wrecked  on  the  cojist  of 
Mexico, 

Congress,  by  joint  resolution  of  the  3d  of  March, 
1847,  authorized  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  place 
at  the  disp(«al  of  Captain  De  Kay  the  United  States 
ship  Maceihmian,  and  the  United  States  sloop  of 
war  Jamestown,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Forbes,  of  Boston,  for  the  purpose  of  transporting 
to  '-'.jland  contributions  which  had  been  made  to 
reli(!ve  the  sufferings  of  that  people.  It  was  a  sin- 
gular c(jincidence  thnt  tli?  Macedonian,  a  ship  that 
had  1)e(!n  captured  from  Great  Britain,  should  be 
sent  tliither  for  the  purjwse  of  relieving  her  subjects 
from  the  horrors  of  starvation. 

Hie  consti'uction  of  four  steam  ships  of  war  was 
authorized  >)y  the  ect  of  Congress  of  the  3d  of 
March,  1S47.  ITie  Saranac  was  to  be  built  at  Kit- 
tery,  the  Powhatan  at  Norfolk,  the  Susquehanna  at 
Philad(;lf)liia,  the  San  Jacinto  at  New- York.*  The 
Pacific  squadron,  in  1848,  consisted  of  the  Ohio  and. 
Columyms,  ships  of  the  line,  razee  Independence, 
fngate  Congress,  sloops  Portsmouth,  Warren,  Cyane, 
Dale,  Preble,  with  the  storeships  Erie,  Lexington, 
and  Soutljampton,    The  Columbus,  the  flag  ship  of 

♦  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  December  4th,  1848. 


4 


4->6 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


ComnKxloro  Biddle,  arrived  in  the  United  States  on 
f.hf  l:'.th  of  March,  1848.  The  frigate  Conji^ress  was 
r)r(|ric(l  Ijonu',  the  Portsmouth  returned  on  the  r)th 
of  Mil  V,  and  the  Cyane  on  tlie  9th  of  October.  The 
f*iiciMc  Mijuadron,  for  the  time,  was  under  the  com- 
mand of  Commodore  Biddle,  who  was  succeeded  })y 
('ommodoie  Shubrick,wlio  was  in  turn  relieved  hy 
Commodore  Thomas  A])  Catesby  Jones.  The  home 
i»<liiadroii  wius  continued  under  the  command  of  Com- 
modore Perry  till  the  2()th  of  Novemljer,  1848, 
when  Commodore  Wilkinson  relieved  him.  It  con- 
swted  of  the  frigate  Cund)erland,  the  sloops  Albany, 
John  Adams,  Germantown,  and  Saratoga;  the  steam- 
er-* Mississippi,  Spitfire,  Vixen,  Scorpion,  Water- 
Witch,  Scourge,  Iris,  and  Petrita;  the  schoonere 
Kfefer,  Petrel,  Bonito,  Flirt,  Mahonese,  Falcon,  and 
Tanifiico  ;  and  of  the  bomb- vessels  pjtna,  Stromboli, 
Vesuvius,  and  Hecla;  with  the  storeships  Belief  and 
Klectra.* 

The  African  squadron,  under  Commf)dore  Bol- 
ton, consisted  of  the  sloops  Jamestown,  Portsmouth, 
I)ecatur;  the  l>rigs  Boxer,  Bell,  Porpoise,  and  Bain- 
bridge.  The  Mediterranean  s(piadron,  under  Com- 
modoie  Read,  consisted  of  the  frigate  United  States, 
sloop  Marion,  the  steamer  Princeton,  the  schooner 
Fancy,  and  the  storeship  Supply ;  while  the  Brazil 
sftuadron,  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Sto- 
rey, was  comprised  of  the  frigate  Brandywine,  the 
brig  Peiry,  and  the  steamer  Alleghany. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen,  that  the  small  nav)'  of  the 
United  States  was  actively  employed  in  all  pails  of 

*  Report  of  tlie  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  December,  1848. 


\ 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


427 


the  worM  in  th«}  protection  of  our  extenwivo  coiu- 
merce.  When  we  tiike  into  considenition  the  varied 
interests  which  are  involved  in  the  eoninieree  of  the 
United  Stiites,  and  the  iniidequuey  of  our  marine  to 
protect  it  in  cas(;  of  a  nipture  with  any  of  the  mari- 
time powei-s  of  Europe,  the  importance  of  utrengtli- 
ening  that  arm  of  th<'  puldic  defence  forcibly  sug- 
gests itself.  Within  the  last  twenty  yeai"s  the  navies 
of  Great  Britain  and  France  have  been  immensely  in- 
creased, especially  in  war  steamei-s.  Without  possess- 
ing the  same  advantages  f(»i'  th(^  construction  of  war 
vessels,  and  with  a  more  contracted  coast  to  defend 
than  the  United  States,  the  navies  of  both  of  those 
powei-s  greatly  i)rei)onderate  in  number  <>f  vessels, 
and  weight  of  metal,  ovei-  our  own.  7'ne  material 
which  we  have  for  building  a  marine  far  exceeds 
that  which  is  j>os8es.se<l  l»y  any  other  connnei'cial 
power,  while  the  American  seamen  are  unrivalled 
in  professional  skill  and  gallantry.  Our  naval 
schools  ftirnish  instruction  to  the  youth  of  the  coun- 
try, w'hile  the  extensive  fisheiies  in  which  the  Amer- 
ican seamen  are  engaged,  jirepare  them  to  discharge 
the  duty  which  devolves  uj)on  tlunn,  when  they  en- 
list in  ih'i  service  of  the  United  States.  England  is 
our  great  rival  uj)on  the  deep  :  possessing  the  same 
language,  and  controlled  by  -an  indomitable  Avill, 
which  can  overcome  all  obstacles ;  with  a  commerce 
whose  sails  whiten  every  ocean,  it  is  not  improbable 
that  hefore  the  lapse  of  half  a  century,  the  do- 
minion of  the  seas  will  be  disputed  by  the  rival 
branches  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race.  England  pos- 
sesses a  more  ])Oweiful  navy,  and  the  pi'estige  v  liich 


T 


428 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


repeated  victories  over  the  Dutch  and  the  French 
gave  her.  ITiere  is  one  fact,  which  will  enal)le 
us  to  triumph  over  England  in  a  protracted  con- 
flict upon  the  seas:  we  possess  interntil  resources 
which  will  enable  us  to  exist,  if  our  commerce 
was  utterly  destroyed;  while  the  prosperity  of 
England,  and  the  stability  of  its  throne,  essen- 
tially depend  upon  the  supremacy  of  her  marl- 
time  power.  If  a  war  should  be  declared  betv/een 
the  two  countries,  the  navy  of  the  United  Sintes 
would  be  increased  so  as  to  contend  successfully 
with  England  upon  her  own  element,  whi'e  it  would 
be  powerfully  assisted  by  the  privateers,  which 
would  issue  from  every  port  along  our  extendcid  line 
of  sea-coah.\  to  cut  up  and  destroy  the  commerce  of 
Gi'eat  Britain.  This  result  will  weaken  her  pow- 
er, destroy  the  source  from  whence  flows  her  im- 
mense wealth,  until  the  English  throne  itself  totters 
to  its  fall. 

As  long  as  the  navy  of  England  so  much  exceeds 
that  of  the  United  States,  we  shall  always  be  han- 
dled roughly  at  the  commencement  of  a  struggle. 
Ar;'l  it  is  to  avoid  such  a  result  which  creates  the 
necessity  for  a  large  increase  of  our  war  steamers. 
This  is  rendered  the  more  justifiable,  Ijecnuse  the 
contest  with  Mexico  jfi-oved  that  perfect  reliance  can 
be  placed  u])on  the  volunteers,  so  far  as  the  land  ser- 
vice is  concerned,  and  rendei's  unnecessary  the  sup- 
port of  a  large  standing  army. 


}'  U  L  K      A  J)  M  I  N  I  S  T  K  A  T  I  O  iV . 


429 


CHAPTER  XII, 

The  velo  power  exercised  by  Mr.  Polk. — T!»;  instructions  to  Mr.  Slldell.— . 
The  slavery  question. — The  Wilmot  Proviso. — The  slavery  question  in  the 
Constitutional  Convention. — The  Missouri  compromise Territorial  Go- 
vernment for  Oregon. — Admission  of  Wisconsin  and  Iowa  into  the  Union. 
— Progress  made  in  the  arts  and  sciences. — State  of  American  literature 
and  education. — Conclusion. 

Upon  several  occasions  during  the  administration 
of  Mr,  Polk,  the  acts  of  Congi'ess  })rouglit  that 
hranch  of  the  Government  into  collision  with  the 
Executive,  Elected  as  the  representative  of  the 
entire  nation,  it  was  his  right,  jis  well  as  his  duty, 
to  guard  and  protect  the  interests  of  all.  Uj)()n 
tliree  several  occasions  he  deemed  it  his  duty  to  ex- 
ercise the  veto  power  conferred  upon  him  l\y  the 
Constitution,  for  the  purpose  of  arresting  tlie  legis- 
lation of  Congi'ess.  In  shielding  the  Co  .stittition 
from  encroachment,  he  followed  the  example  which 
had  been  set  him  })y  several  of  his  predecessoi-s.* 
The  veto  power  has  been  exercised  twenty-four 
times,  since  the  organization  of  the  Government 
under  the  present  Constitution,  and  '*even  thousand 
seven  hundred  laws  have  been  passed  since  that 
time. 


*  Tlie  veto  power  was  rsprcised  twice  by  Washington,  six  times  by 
MndJHon,  once  by  Monroe,  upon  nine  occasions  by  Jackson,  four  by  Tyler, 
and  tiirco  times  by  Polk. 


480 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


^h:  P(»lk  vetoed  two  bills  which  were  jiassed  hy 
Coiigi't':<s,  for  the  imjjrovenient  of  harbors  and  riv- 
ers, and  also  the  bill  making  a])proj)riations  to  sat- 
isfy the  claims  of  our  citizens  for  the  si)()liations 
committed  by  the  French.  In  his  last  annual  mes- 
eaw  to  C(>n}::ress,  the  President  examined  at  some 
length  the  constitutional  negative  which  the  Execu- 
tive h;is  upon  the  action  of  Congress.*     The  demo- 

•  "  The  Prp.!ident  is  bound  to  npprove,  or  disapprove,  every  bill  wliich 
passes  Coni'' OSS,  and  is  presented  to  him  for  his  signature.  Tiie  Consti- 
tution ma'.ea  tiiis  his  duty,  and  hs  cannot  escape  it  if  he  would.  He  has 
no  election,  [n  deciding  upon  any  bill  presented  to  him,  he  must  exercise 
his  own  best  judgmpnt.  If  he  cannot  approve,  the  Constitution  commands 
him  f"  return  the  bill  to  the  Hou.se  in  which  it  originated,  with  his  objec- 
tions ;  and  if  ho  fail  to  do  this  within  ten  days  (Sundays  e.\cepted),  it 
shall  become  a  law  without  his  signature.  Right  or  wrong,  he  may  be 
overruled  hy  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  each  House ;  and,  in  that  event,  the 
bill  l)ecotnes  a  law  without  his  sanction.  If  his  objections  be  not  thus 
overruled,  the  subject  is  only  postponed,  and  is  referred  to  the  States  and 
the  people  for  their  consii'eration  and  decision.  The  President's  power  is 
negative  merely,  and  not  a.'irmative.  He  can  enact  no  law.  The  only 
effect,  therefore,  of  his  witliholding  his  approval  of  a  bill  passed  by  Con- 
gress, is  to  suffer  the  existing  laws  to  remain  unchanged,  and  the  delay 
occasioned  is  only  that  required  to  enable  the  States  and  the  people  to 
consider  and  act  upon  the  subject,  in  the  election  of  public  agents  who 
will  carry  out-their  wishes  and  instructions." 

"  Congress,  and  each  House  of  Congress,  hold  under  the  Constitution 
a  check  upon  the  President,  and  he,  by  the  power  of  the  qualified  veto,  a 
chick  upon  Congress.  When  the  President  recommends  measures  to 
Congress,  he  avows,  in  the  most  solemn  form,  his  opinions,  gives  his  voice 
in  their  favor,  and  pledges  himself  in  advance  to  approve  them  if  passed 
by  Congress.  If  he  acts  without  due  consideration,  or  has  been  influ- 
ence<l  by  improper  or  corrupt  motives — or  if  from  any  other  cause  Con- 
gress, or  either  House  of  Congress,  shall  differ  from  him  in  opinion, 
they  exercise  thir  v/n  upon  his  recommendations,  and  reject  them ;  and 
there  is  no  appeal  from  their  deci.-'on,  but  to  the  people  at  the  bnllot-box. 
These  are  proper  checks  upon  the  Executive,  wisely  interposed  hy  the 
Constitution.  None -will  be  found  to  object  to  them,  or  wish  them  to  be 
removed.  It  is  equally  important  that  the  constitutional  checks  of  tlie  Ex- 
ecutive upon  the  legislative  branch  should  be  pieservcd. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


431 


cratic  party  liave  sustained,  with  great  unanimity, 
the  provision  of  the  Constitution  wliich  authorized 
the  President  to  postpone  or  defeat  the  passage  of 
a  law  l>y  tlie  exercise  of  the  veto,  while  the  whig 
party,  at  various  periods,  have  endeavored  to  amend 
that  instrument,  by  abolishing  the  power  alto- 
gether.* 

"  If  it  be  said  ii.  t  the  Representatives  in  the  popular  branch  of  Con- 
gress are  chosen  direct'^  by  tiie  people,  it  is  answered,  tlic  people  elect 
the  President.  If  both  Houses  represent  the  States  and  the  ji'dpli-. -^o 
does  the  President.  The  President  represents  in  the  ExecutiM'  Dnpart- 
mentthe  whole  people  of  the  United  States,  as  each  momlicr  of  the  lejris- 
lative  department  represents  portions  of  them." 

"  Upon  the  same  principle  that  the  veto  of  the  I'rc  Hlont  should  be 
practically  abolished,  the  power  of  the  Vice  President  to  pui^  thr  casting 
vote  upon  an  equal  division  of  the  Senate  should  be  abolished  also.  'I'lio 
Vice  President  exercises  the  veto  power  as  effectually  by  rojectini;  u  lull 
by  his  casting  vote,  as  the  President  does  by  refusing  to  approve  and  gii;n 
it.  This  power  has  been  exercised  by  the  Vice  President  in  a  few  instan- 
ces, the  most  important  of  which  was  the  rejection  of  a  bill  to  re-charter 
the  Bank  of  the  United  States  in  1811.  It  may  happen  that  a  bill  may  be 
passed  by  a  largo  majority  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  may  be 
supported  by  Senators  from  the  larger  States,  and  the  Vice  President  may 
reject  it  by  giving  his  vote  with  the  Senators  from  the  smaller  States  ;  and 
yet  none,  it  is  to  be  presumed,  are  prepared  to  deny  to  hiin  the  exorcise 
of  this  power  under  the  Constitution." — Message  of  Mr.  Pnlk,  Deamhtr 
6th,  1848. 

♦  "  Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  (two-thirds  of  both  1  louses 
concurring,)  That  when  a  Mil  which  shall  have  passed  the  Senatf  and 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  shall  be  returned  by  the 
President,  with  his  objections  to  his  approbation  and  signature,  if.  upon  its 
reconsideration,  it  shall  pass  each  House  by  a  majority  of  all  the  iiii>iii- 
bers  belonging  to  such  House,  notwithstanding  the  President's  olijiTiinn, 
it  shall  become  a  law ;  and  the  requisition  by  the  existing  (^oiistitulinn  of 
two-thirds  of  each  House  again  to  pass  the  bill  in  such  case  is  hereby  an- 
nulled."— Resolution  introduced  into  the  Senate  hy  Henry  Clay,  IXceviber 
29/ft,  1841. 

"  No  doubt  the  idea  of  ingrafting  this  power  upon  our  own  Coiislitu- 
tion  was  adopted  by  the  Convention,  from  having  always  found  it  as  a 


'  JASPlIli  I.IiniARV, 
Oi'uau!  March  l.ia.l^l, 


432 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


On  the  4th  of  January,  1847,  the  Jlouse  of  Re- 
presentatives passed  a  resolution  calling  upon  the 
President  to  communicate  to  that  body,  the  instruc- 

power  recognized  in  European  Governments,  just  as  it  had  been  before 
derived  by  them  from  the  practice  and  history  of  Rome.  At  all  events, 
tiie  power  was  inserted  as  one  feature,  not  only  in  the  general  Constitu- 
tion of  tlie  Fedri/il  Government,  but  also  in  the  Constitutions  of  t  portiuo 
of  the  Slates.  Fifcy  years  had  now  elapsed  since  the  Federal  Conxtiiu- 
tion  was  formjd,  and  it  was  no  derogation  from  the  wisdom  and  palriutism 
ot  the  venerable  men  who  framed  it,  now  to  say  that  the  work  of  their 
hands,  though  as  perfect  as  ever  had  proceeded  from  human  hand^,  was, 
nevertheless,  not  absolutely  so;  because  that  was  what  nothing  that 
sprang  from  man  had  ever  been.  But  now,  after  the  lapse  of  a  half  • 
century,  it  was  interesting  to  pause — to  look  back — to  review  the  history 
of  that  period,  and  to  compare  the  predictions  of  those  who  then  looked 
into  the  future,  with  tiie  actual  results  of  subsequent  experience.  An/ 
one  at  all  acquainted  with  the  contemporaneous  history  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, muKt  know  that  one  great  and  radical  error  which  possessed  the 
minds  of  the  wise  men  who  drew  up  that  instrument,  was  an  appreheo- 
eion  that  the  Executive  Dcprtment  oi  the  then  proposed  Government 
would  be  too  feeble  to  contend  successfully  in  a  struggle  with  tlie  powec 
of  the  Legislature  ;  hence  i'  was  found  that  various  expedients  had  been 
proposed  in  the  Convention  with  the  avowed  purpose  of  strengthening 
the  Executive  arm  ;  one  of  which  went  so  far  as  to  propose  tliat  the  Pre- 
sident shiiiild  be  the  chief  magistrate  for  life.  All  these  proposals  had 
their  origin  in  the  one  prevailing  idea — that  of  the  weakness  of  the  Exec- 
utive, and  its  incompetence  to  defend  itself  against  the  encroachments  f£ 
legislative  domination  and  dictation." 

"  But  while  there  had  been  no  such  thing  in  practice  as  an  encroachment 
by  the  Federal  upon  the  State  Governments,  there  had,  withji  tlie  Federal 
Government  it'telf,  been  a  constant  encroachment  by  the  Executive  upon 
the  Legislative  Department." 

"  First,  it  attacked  the  treaty-making  po''  -r.  None  could  now  read 
the  language  of  the  Constitution,  without  at  once  coming  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  the  intention  of  the  authors  of  diat  instrument  was  that  the 
Senate  should  be  consulted  by  the  President,  not  merely  in  the  ratiiicatioa 
bat  in  the  inception  of  all  treaties :  that  in  the  commencement  of  tlie  ne- 
gotiations, the  instructions  of  the  ministers  appointed  to  treat,  the  charter 
and  provisions  of  the  treaty,  the  Senate  should  be  consulted,  and  should 
first  yield  its  assent." 

"  The  President  now,  without  a  wonJ  of  consultation  with  the  Senate, 


POLK 


ADMINISTBAtlWSf, 


433 


ould 


tions  and  orders  issued  to  Mi-.  felidlMlll^  M  my  time 
prior  or  subsequent  to  Lis  depaj-tuav  iw  Mexico,  as 
Minist(!r  Plenipotentiary  of  tlie  L'wirtAi'^  j^ates  to 
that  ccjuntry.  Au  effort  was  luatk  ttiv  i^vi^nd  the 
resohition,  by  stating,  "  if  not  ijicojjU|ij«tiil'>'l]«»  with  the 
pu}>lic  interest."  This  ameudiufeut  VMt  Ui^.r'teu,  and 
the  resolution,  in  its  original  foj'iu,  jjuwcu^ll,.  and  the 
call  of  the  House  upon  the  KxHcuti\>'  \vv;w  uncondi- 
tional. On  the  13th  of  that  uioii-tiU,  Mi»:.  Folk  re- 
sponded to  the  demand  made  uj^oju  h'im,.  xtu\  de- 
clined complying  with  that  pajl  oif  i^  iri»8olution.* 

on  his  own  mere  personal  eenee  of  propriety.  owKSltrtM!  A  frtwty,  and 
promised  to  the  foreign  power  its  ratification,  nnd  ttitm-KW  ill!  tins  iiad 
been  done,  and  the  terms  of  the  treaty  agreed  uptm,  :(»*■  il^f  tlin  first  time 
submitted  it  to  the  Senate  for  ratification.  Now  ev«ry  (Ww  m<iBf  «««  that 
there  was  a  great  difference  between  rejecting  what  Imt!  i(i<i«(tdy  hflen  ac- 
tnaliy  done,  and  refusing  to  do  that  thing  if  askud  IjtiUiWimtit.'' 

"  The  next  Executive  encroachment  he  Hhouid  inrtnj*-  -vtrtH  tlint  which 
occurred  in  tiie  dismissal  from  office,  of  pert>ou«  &p)n)luW{i  !iy  m<i  with  the 
consent  of  the  Senate.  The  effect  of  this  practice  vvttt  \>im\Hlly  to  de- 
stroy all  agency  and  co-operations  of  the  Senate  in  smlli  t^jjftittt'ments."— 
Speech  of  Mr.  Clay  m  the  Senate,  Jatip-jiy  :'Ath,  Ibtfi!. 

*  "  The  information  called  for  res  lects  negotiutioiit-  vtiirih  the  f'nited 
States  offered  to  open  with  Mexico,  i'lmediutely  prouHdrti?  r1i0  Crtrnmence- 
ment  of  the  existing  war.  The  ins'iuctions  •given  tv  tlif  .Wirtinfw  of  the 
United  States  relate  to  the  differen  "es  between  tliet»vv(trtmuiri«s,  out  of 
which  the  war  grew,  and  the  terms  of  adjUHtiuetii  wltwiii  ..vrt  wern  pre- 
pared to  offer  to  Mexico  in  our  anxiety  to  prevent  tltv  w(«r..  Ifhosc  differ- 
ences still  remain  unsettled;  and  to  comply  witli  tln'<<»0''St'rtm  FfouBe, 
would  be  to  make  public  through  that  chuunel,  uud  ««uutim(»<Jtte  fo  Mex- 
ico, now  a  public  enemy  engaged  in  war,  infunnatiun  v»'iirtt»  r<rtn|i|  not  fail 
to  produce  serious  embarrassment  in  any  future  inij;otiiiti\nir  Hot  ween  the 
two  countries."  "  Entertaining  this  convictiDU,  and  vvUti  ,ii  -nnr^rc  desire 
to  furnish  any  information  which  may  be  in  pusHithsiw  \t'  Hlu»  Itxi'nitive 
Department,  and  which  either  House  of  (Jongrtdtf  umy  iC  rtny  time  re- 
quest, I  regard  it  to  be  my  coni?titutional  right,  and  \uy  sslmttrtduty  under 
liie  circumstances  of  this  case,  to  decline  a  coinplmii<;»  A>it1t  rlie  request 
of  the  House  contained  in  their  resolution." — j1|c«a«^<  if  ttr-  P'nlk  n,  the 
Himse  of  Reprcsentalhes,  January  12M,  1848. 
28 


434 


niSTOKY     OF     THE 


Tlie  issue  that  wsm  than  ruiHed  ])etween  the  Presi- 
dent uud  the  llowa:  of  U^'pn-wntatives,  was  of  the 
gravest  charact<'r,  and  cn,'at«;d  much  asperity  of  feel- 
ing. A  gi'eat  deal  d<?jH'hds  npon  j)roperly  defining 
the  relative  p<jwerM  of  tlnj  cvvordinate  branches  of 
the  General  Govenimcnt ;  and  th(!  debate  upon  the 
President's  nieshage  <;xhibjtf;d  great  ability.  Prece- 
dents were  adduced  by  the  f*piK»sition  meml)ers  for 
the  i»ui'pose  of  showing  that  the  President  had 
transcended hJH  \Htwun*  while  it  was  as  strenuously 

*  "  He  (Mr.  T.)  muirt  dww  a  Jwuity  diMinction  between  the  .reaty  power 
and  the  war  power.  'Hie  (AJtvititnium  vested  in  the  President  and  Senate 
the  power  to  make  truiti«i« ;  arvl  t^lt•.  rine^ition  nroBe,  should  the  House  or 
not,  without  inquirinjf  int/fttw*  ftrofiriKtifn  of  the  treaties  made,  or  their  ope- 
ration upon  the  people,  a»  af&«tjn((  tiit;  interest*,  the  prosperity,  the  liberty 
of  the  American  pe<jple — *\nMUi  H  Mindly  vote  appropriations  to  carry  them 
into  effect  ?  He  afrrecd  witli  Mr,  ll^presentative  Polk,  that  they  should 
not.  Suppose  the  Pretidi^nt  and  tiit-  HetMte  should  surrender  New-York  to 
tlie  English,  as  tlie  Kptuiiard«  iiarr«mdered  Gibraltar,  ought  the  House  to 
vote  the  appropriations  whkb  iaii(tit  tin  necessary  to  carry  the  treaty  into 
effect  ?  He  admitted  tlii«  waa  an  extreme  case,  but  it  exhibited  more 
clearly  the  principle.  Tite  repr^rMmtafivci!  ')f  the  people  would  be  derelict 
to  the  highest  oblij^orw  of  frewwrn,  Ui  v(Ae  appropriations  to  carry  into 
effect  a  treaty  witliout  ufvkrr«tandlni;  liow  that  treaty  is  to  affect  the  pub- 
lic interests.  But  wid<;ly  difl/rrent  was  the  case  of  war.  The  Constitu- 
tion did  not  vest  tJiat  (xjwcr  with  tlie  President  and  Senate.  When  the 
people  adopted  tlie  CoriKtitiitym,  th'^y  rfttaincd  the  right — being  the  true 
sovereigns — of  tl»e  ymr-iiiakinK  prrwfrr,  U>  he  exercised  through  their  Re- 
presentatives in  Congreisn  ;  aivi  tbf«  information  now  called  for  of  Mr.  Polk 
was  in  relation  to  war,  (Umipi:**  want/'H  to  know,  in  relation  to  this  war, 
what  was  to  be  oct/nnfAininiti,  ami  Itow  it  was  to  be  accomplished." — 
Speech  iif  Patrkk  W.  'I'innfAiru  in  thf.  l/inif  of  Rfipresentalices,  January 
19,  1848.  Curifrrenv/n/tt  OUil/^,  In/  neiiiivm  30lh  Congress,  pp.  203 
and  204. 

"  I  will  state,  sir,  tliat  Ih*  rwwon  why  I  have  felt  it  my  duty  to  take 
this  course,  is,  that  I  c/*ii»i<W  it  a  novel  thing,  and  n  thing  affecting  the 
rights  of  thi«  Houxe.  arcl  <»f  iIk;  a«Mtitnency  of  this  House — the  people 
of  the  United  States.     hiUmieti,  sir,  as  I  understand  it,  the  power,  the 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


435 


contended  by  the  democratic  party,  that  the  coui-se 
pursued  by  the  Executive  was  sustained  by  the  ac- 
tion of  his  predecessora,  and  by  the  Constitution  of 

constitutional  power  of  this  House  to  call  for  that  information.  I  believe 
it  is  the  first  time  in  the  History  of  the  Union  that  it  has  beer,  deniec'. 

"  Now,  sir,  the  President  has  not  added  what  was  the  action  of  the 
House  upon  that,  and  the  action  of  the  House  was  in  din  "t  opposition  to  the 
resistance  of  President  Washington  to  their  call.  The  House  formally 
declared — and  I  wish  the  journal  might  be  looked  to  to  sec — the  House 
formally  declared,  against  President  Washington,  their  right  to  call  for 
such  information.  That  was  their  action ;  and  as  far  aa  I  know — al- 
though the  very  memory  of  Washington,  by  every  body  in  this  country, 
at  this  time,  (and  by  none  more  than  myself,)  is  reverenced  next  to  wor- 
ship— the  President  was  wrong  in  that  particular  instance,  and  went  too 
far  to  deny  the  power  of  the  House  ;  and  as  to  his  reasons,  I  never  thought 
they  were  sufficient  in  that  case.  And  1  have  always  been  of  the  .)piiiion, 
and  most  assuredly  that  has  been  the  opinion  of  the  democratic  party,  to 
which  I  do  not  profess  to  belong,  [a  laugh,]  they  have  unanimous'y  dis- 
approved of  that  act  ofPresident  Washington,  as  interfering  with  the  rights 
of  this  House,  and  of  tlieir  constituents,  the  people  of  the  United  Stales. 

"  I  think  this  House  ought  to  sustain,  in  the  strongest  manner,  their 
right  to  call  for  information  upon  questions  in  which  war  and  peace  are 
concerned.  They  ought  to  maintain  their  right,  and  maintain  it  in  a  very 
distinct  manner,  against  this  assertion  upon  the  part  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States." — La: '.  remarks  ecer  addressed  by  John  Q.  Adams,  in 
the  House  of  Representalves,  January  12/A,  1848. 

"The  President  cam "!  and  asked  supplies — men  and  money  to  carry  on 
this  war— to  maintain  hi  n  in  the  position,  he  said,  of  honorable  fair  deal- 
ing towards  Mexico,  witfi  whom  we  were  at  war ;  and  as  the  justification, 
they  were  told,  vas  to  be  found  in  connection  with  the  history  of  this  por- 
tion of  the  war, ,  ley  inquired  of  him  whether  or  not  he  could  give  them 
light  upon  this  su  iect;  and  he  declined  to  do  so,  and  declined  upon  the 
pretext  that  by  it  w  juld  be  made  public  to  the  country,  and  to  Mexico,  the 
matters  in  relation  to  the  passport  of  Santa  Anna,  and  the  instructions  of 
Mr.  Slide"  The  111th  rule  of  this  House  provided  as  follows,  and  he 
wished  it  to  be  read  by  the  Clerk : 

" '  Whenever  confidenii.il  communications  are  received  from  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  the  House  shall  be  cleared  of  all  persons  except 
the  Members,  Clerk,  Sergeant-nt-Arms,  and  Doorkeeper,  and  so  continue 
during  the  reading  of  such  communications,  and  (unless  otherwise  di- 
rected by  the  House,)  during  all  debates  and  proceeding  >  to  be  hisd 
thereon.' 


436 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


the  United  States.*  In  a  constitution  of  checks  and 
balances,  like  our  own,  it  is  a  matter  of  the  most 
vital  importance  that  one  branch  of  the  Government 

"  If  the  Preaident  of  the  United  States,  (continued  Mr.  S.,)  had  been 
willing  to  trust  the  Representatives  of  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
there  would  have  been  no  difficulty  about  this  communication.  He  cuuld 
have  marked  it '  confidential ;'  then  it  would  have  been  the  duty  of  the 
Speaker  to  have  advised  fhe  House  that  it  was  a^  confidential  communica> 
tion,  and  to  have  liad  ttic  House  cleared  of  all  persons  except  the  members 
and  officers,  while  they  took  up  the  subject  of  the  information  which  was 
necessary  for  their  wise  and  judicious  action  in  time  of  war." — Remark* 
(4  Mr.  Schenckin  the  House  of  Represenlatives,  January  Mlh,  1848. 

*        GENERAL  WASHINGTON'S  MESSAGE,  IN  1796. 

There  was  a  resolution  introduced  into  the  House  of  Representatives 
on  the  7th  of  March,  1796,  to  the  following  eflTect: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  requested  to 
lay  before  this  House  a  copy  of  the  instructions  to  the  minister  of  the 
United  States  who  negotiated  the  treaty  with  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
(communicated  by  his  message  of  the  first  instant,)  together  with  the  cor- 
respondence and  other  documents  relative  to  the  said  treaty,  excepting 
such  of  the  said  papers  as  any  existing  negotiation  may  render  it  impro* 
per  to  be  disclosed." 

"  A  motion  was  made  and  seconded  to  amend  the  said  motion,  by  strik* 
ing  out  the  words  '  excepting  stick  of  the  said  papers  as  any  existing  nego- 
tiation may  render  il  improper  to  he  disclosed'  and  inserting  in  lieu  thereof 
the  words, '  except  so  much  of  the  said  papers  as,  in  his  judgment,  it  may 
not  be  consistent  with  the  interest  of  the  United  States  to  disclose.' " 

This  amendment  was  rejected,  and  the  resolution  as  originally  intro- 
duced was  passed  on  the  24th  of  March,  1796. 

The  object  of  the  amendment  was  to  leave  the  communication  of  the 
instructions  and  correspondence  called  for  in  the  resolution  entirely  to  the 
discretion  of  the  President.  His  judgment,  alone,  was  to  control  him  in 
the  premises.  That  amendment  was  reje(  '  i,  and  the  demand  was  made 
for  the  instructions  and  correspondence,  with  the  single  qualification,  that 
the  President  might  withhold  such  "  papers  as  any  existing  negotiations 
may.  render  it  improper  to  be  disclosed." 

That  portion  of  the  instructions  and  correspondence  which  was  dis- 
connected with  the  future,  was  peremptorily  demanded  by  the  House,  and 
as  flatly  refused  by  President  Washington. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


437 


dis- 
,  and 


should  not  trench  upon  the  powers  of  another. 
Uj)on  a  strict  adherence  to  the  constitutional  boun- 
dary of  each,  hinges  the  successful  t)peration  of  all. 

President  Washington,  on  the  30th  of  Murch,  1796,  responded  to  the 
resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  It  is  nowhere  asserted  in 
hia  message  that  the  communication  of  the  instructions  and  correspond- 
ence called  for  would  be  detrimental  to  the  public  interest.  He  only  goes 
so  far  as  to  insist,  that  after  negotiations  are  brought  to  a  conclusion,  a 
full  disclosure  of  all  the  measures,  demands,  or  eventual  concessions, 
"  might  have  a  pernicious  influence  on  future  negotiations,"  &c.  He  did 
not  for  that  reason  refuse  to  comply  with  their  request.  He  based  his 
argument  upon  altogether  different  grounds.  He  denied  the  right  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  to  possess  the  information,  and  asserted  that 
the  Constitution  had  vested  the  power  to  make  treaties  in  the  President 
and  Senate,  and  that  when  made  and  promulgated  they  became  the  law  of 
the  land. 

It  has  been  asserted,  that  if  confidential  communications  are  made  to 
the  House,  it  can  resolve  itself  into  secret  session.  President  Washing- 
ton said,  that  the  necessity  for  "  caution  and  secrecy  was  one  cogent  rea- 
son for  vesting  the  power  of  making  treaties  in  the  President,  with  the 
advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate ;  the  principle  on  which  that  body  was 
formed,  confining  it  to  a  small  number  of  members." 

Washington's  message  forcibly  illustrates  hi.s  opinions. 

"  The  nature  of  foreign  negotiations  requires  caution,  and  their  suc- 
cess must  often  depend  on  secrecy  :  and  even  when  brought  to  a  conclu- 
sion, a  full  disclosure  of  all  the  measures,  demands,  or  eventual  concessions, 
which  may  have  been  proposed  or  contemplated,  would  be  extremely  impo- 
litic ;  for  this  might  have  a  pernicious  influence  on  future  negotiations,  or 
produce  immediate  inconveniences,  perhaps  danger  and  mischief,  in  rela- 
tion to  other  powers.  The  necessity  of  such  caution  and  secrecy  was 
one  cogent  reason  for  vesting  the  power  of  making  treaties  in  the  Presi- 
dent, with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate  ;  the  principle  on  which 
that  body  was  formed,  confining  it  to  a  small  nimiber  of  members. 

"  To  admit  then  a  right  in  the  House  of  Representatives  to  demand, 
and  to  have,  as  a  matter  of  course,  all  the  papers  respecting  a  negotiation 
with  a  foreign  power,  would  be  to  establish  a  dangerous  precedent." 

"  Having  been  a  member  of  the  General  Convention,  and  knowing  the 
principles  on  which  the  Constitution  was  formed,  I  havo  ever  entertained 
imt  one  opinion  on  this  subject ;  and  <"rnm  the  first  csL-iblishment  of  tlie 
fi(!VPrnment  to  this  moment,  niv  conduct  lios  pxrmplifipd  that  opinion,  that 
the  piiwer  of  making  treaties  is  excl  isively  vested  in  the  President,  by  and 


"T'fW*""'*!! 


488 


niSTORT     OF     THE 


No  question  that  can  ever  arise  in  this  country  will 
be  more  delicate ;  and,  upon  its  proper  adjustment, 
the  stability  of  the  Union  may  yet  depend. 

with  the  advice  and  conxcnt  of  the  Senate ;  provided  two-thirds  of  the 
senators  present  concur,  and  that  every  treaty  so  made  and  promulgated, 
thenceforward  is  the  law  of  the  land." 

"  If  other  proofs  than  ttiese,  and  the  plain  letter  of  the  Constitution 
itself,  be  necessary  to  ascertain  the  point  under  consideration,  they  may  be 
found  in  the  journals  of  the  general  convention,  which  I  have  deposited  in 
the  office  of  the  department  of  Htate.  In  tliose  journals  it  will  appear, 
that  a  proposition  was  made  '  that  no  treaty  should  be  binding  on  the 
United  States  which  was  not  ratified  by  law,'  and  that  the  proposition  was 
explicitly  rejected." 

Here  is  a  decided  expression  of  opinion  upon  the  part  of  General 
Washington,  who  was  one  of  the  members  of  the  convention  which  frnincd 
the  Constitution,  that  the  House  of  Representatives  can  take  no  part  in 
conducting  the  foreign  negotiations  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Webster,  in  his  speech  in  the  House  of  Representatives  on  the 
Panama  mission,  cites  the  case  of  the  appointment  of  commissioners  to 
Ghent,  where  the  President  gave  them  such  instructions  as  he  saw  fit. 
Although  the  war  was  begun  for  certain  purposes,  yet  Congress  did  not 
assume  a  right  to  ascertain  from  the  Executive,  whether  the  negotiations 
were  to  be  conducted  with  a  view  to  accomplish  those  ends. 

Mr.  Webster  was  then  denying  the  right  of  the  House  to  interfere  with 
foreign  negotiations. 

"  But,  in  truth,  there  have  been  much  stronger  cases  for  the  interfere 
ence  of  the  House,  where,  nevertheless,  the  House  has  not  interfered. 
For  example :  in  the  negotiations  for  peace,  carried  on  at  Ghent.  In 
that  case.  Congress,  by  both  Houses,  had  declared  war  for  certain  alleged 
causes.  After  the  war  had  lasted  some  years,  the  President,  with  the  ad- 
vice of  the  Senate,  appointed  ministers  to  treat  of  peace ;  and  he  gave 
them  such  instructions  as  he  saw  fit.  Now,  as  the  war  was  declared  by 
Congress,  and  was  waged  t(j  obtain  certain  ends,  it  would  have  been  plau- 
sible to  say  that  Congress  ought  to  know  the  instructions  under  which 
peace  was  to  be  negotiated,  that  they  might  see  whether  the  objects  for 
which  the  war  was  declared  had  been  abiindoned  ;  yet  no  such  claim  was 
set  up.  The  President  gave  instructions  such  as  his  judgment  dictated, 
and  neither  House  asserted  any  right  of  interference." — Speech  of  Mr. 
Websler,  April  14,  18-2f). 

In  the  case  cited  hy  Mr.  Webster,  the  declaration  of  wor  had  been 
made  by  Congress,  and  afterward!,  and  during  the  progress  of  that  war, 


Y 


^ 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


439 


The  acquisition  of  territory  from  Mexico,  appa- 
rently, increoHed  the  dangers  which  the  question  of 
slavery  presents  to  the  Government  of  this  country. 

tlie  miniittcra  wcro  appointed  and  the  instruction  given,  and  yet  tlie  House 
of  ReprcDontativcs  did  not  assume  the  right  to  interrere. 

In  the  caae  now  under  consideration,  the  instructions  were  given  bffarR 
the  declaration  of  war,  and  consequently  no  assertion  can  be  made  that  the 
instruction*  to  Mr.  Slidcll  were  a  departure  from  the  line  of  policy  indi- 
cated in  tliat  declaration. 


rO 


MISSION  TO  PANAMA. 

MinixterM  wcro  appointed  by  President  Adams  for  the  purpose  of  at- 
tending the  Congress  to  assemble  at  Panama. 

ThiH  question  produced  a  long  and  able  debate  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. 

Upon  the  one  hand  it  was  contended,  that  while  the  appropriation 
should  be  made,  to  enable  the  President  to  send  miniriters  to  the  Congress 
of  Panama,  yet  that  the  House  had  the  power  to  express  what  should  be 
done,  and  \i>  with!iold  thcii  ::-r.ctiin  to  any  departure  from  what  was  con- 
sidered the  settled  policy  of  the  country,  in  relation  to  intercourse  with 
foreign  notions. 

Up<iri  the  other  side  it  was  insisted  that  the  right  to  appoint  ambassa- 
dors being  vested  in  the  PresidiMit  nnd  Senate,  it  was  the  duty  of  the 
IIouKfl  to  grant  the  necessary  appropriation,  without  any  restriction  upon 
the  right  of  the  other  branches  of  the  Government. 

Where  the  simple  resohition  to  grant  the  appropriation  was  amended, 
by  an  expression  of  the  views  of  the  House  as  to  the  manner  in  which 
tlie  misHion  should  be  conducted,  it  was  rejected  by  a  vote  of  143  to  54. 

Mr.  Welwtcr  referring  to  the  appointment  of  the  minister  by  President 
Adams,  remarked  :  "  These  officers  do,  indeed,  already  exist.  They  are 
public  ministers.  If  they  were  to  negotiate  a  treaty,  and  the  Senate 
should  ratify  it,  it  would  become  a  law  of  the  land,  whether  we  voted  their 
salaries  or  not.  This  shows  that  the  Constitution  never  contemplated 
that  the  House  of  Representatives  should  act  a  part  in  originating  nego- 
tiatii.ns  or  concluding  treaties." 

The  House  of  Representatives  in  1833  was  desirous  of  obtoining  the 
correspondence  between  our  Government  and  Buenos  Ayres,  and  passed 
a  resolution  calling  upon  the  President  for  it. 

On  the  28th  of  Dccemlier,  1832,  President  Jackson  sent  the  following 
message  to  the  House  of  Representatives : 


^^F 


440 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


Thirt  result  was  anticipated  by  several  southern 
inem>)ers  of  Congress,  who  were  opjiosed  to  the 
dismemhermeut  of  the  Mexican  territory.*    Diffi- 

"  To  THF.  House  of  Representativks  : 

"  I  have  taken  into  consideration  the  resolutioi.  of  the  Houbc  requefit'- 
inpr  mn  to  communicate  to  it,  8o  far  as,  in  my  opinion,  may  be  conpistcnt 
with  the  public  intcrost,  the  correspondence  between  the  Government 
of  the  United  States  and  thot  of  the  Republic  of  Buenos  Ayres,  which 
has  resulted  in  the  departure  of  the  charge  d'  atfuircs  of  the  United  States 
from  that  Republic,  together  with  the  instructions  given  to  the  said  charg6 


♦  "  Mr.  Gentry  supposed  that  the  gentleman  only  meant  that  we  must 
indemnify  ourselves  for  the  expenses  of  the  war ;  and  to  do  this  u  o  should 
be  ohliwed — most  reluctantly  obliged — to  annex  some  of  hrr  provinces, 
thnii<^h  the  whole  nation  was  opposed  to  it.  Yes;  the  President  had  not 
waged  war  for  conquest — not  at  all.  But  he  found  conquest  in  his  path, 
and  he  could  neither  get  over  it,  nor  get  around  it ;  so  he  e'en  picked  it 
np.  Now,  Mr.  G.  insisted,  that  no  such  annexation  could  take  place  with- 
out an  act  of  the  Legislature,  or  a  violation  of  the  Constitution.  If  it  was 
the  desire  of  the  people  that  these  provinces  should  become  a  part  of  the 
United  States,  let  them  say  so.     But  they  had  not,  and  they  would  not." 

"  Would  the  Northern  States  consent  that  slavery  should  be  established 
in  these  new  provinces  ?  Certainly  not.  Then  we  were  to  have  at  the 
extreme  South  a  cordon  of  free  States.  What  would  the  present  South 
say  to  that  ?" 

"  Did  not  gentlemen  see  the  difficulties  which  lay  in  prospect  before 
US  ?  What  was  the  President  going  to  do  with  these  provinces  when  he 
got  them  ?  This  question  of  slavery  had  been  met  by  our  revolutionary 
fethers  at  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  Constitution,  and  even  then  it 
was  ono  of  the  utmost  difficulty.  It  came  up  again  on  the  adminsion  of 
Misso.iri,  and  then  it  shook  the  deepest  foundation  of  this  entire  Union ; 
nor  was  the  danger  averted  but  by  the  efforts  of  thot  illustrious  patriot,  to 
wlinm  the  country  owed  so  much  of  its  prosperity.  Should  it  be  brought 
np  again  in  this  new  form,  and  on  so  wide  a  scale,  he  feared  it  was  destined 
to  produce  the  wreck  of  all  our  hopes.  These  men  in  power  were  evi- 
dently going  to  build  up  the  South  at  the  hazard  of  the  Union  itself. 
There  were  bad  men  among  us  who  desired  its  dissolution,  and,  unless 
Congress  put  a  curb  into  the  mouth  of  this  petty  tyrant,  (and,  as  his  side 
of  the  House  could  not  do  this  alone,  he  invoked  gentlemen  on  the  other 
who  loved  their  country,  to  aid  in  the  work,)  we  might  anticipate  conse- 
quences more  disastrous  than  any  thing  that  had  hoppened  to  us  since  the 


POLK     ADJIINISTltATION. 


441 


culties  were  also  a])prehencled  by  tlie  Executive, 
who  warned  CongrenH  t(j  avoid  them,  and  he  invok- 
ed a  spirit  of  concession  and  harmony  upon  then* 
deliVjeratitfns.* 

d'  affiiires,  and  in  anower  to  the  Raid  rpquest,  Rtate,  for  the  informntion  ot 
tho  Iloiige,  that,  although  the  chargi'  d'  afTuiros  of  the  United  KtaioH  has 
found  it  necessary  to  return,  yet  the  negotiation  between  the  two  countries 
for  the  arrangement  of  the  differences  lx?tween  Iheni,  are  not  considered 
as  broken  off,  but  arc  suspended  only  until  the  arrival  of  a  minister,  wiio, 

adoption  of  the  Constitution." — Speech  of  Mr.  Oenlrij,  of  Tennessee,  House 
of  Represenlalivex  of  the  I'niieJ  Stales,  December  16/A,  1846. 

"  Be  it,  therefore,  re.sohed,  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representalkes 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Conf^ress  assembled.  That  the  present 
war  with  Mexico  '  is  not  waged  with  a  view  to  conquest,'  or  tho  dismem- 
berment  of  that  republic  by  the  acquisition  of  any  portion  of  her  territory," 
— Resolution  introduced  by  Mr.  Stephens,  ofGeorfria,  January  '2'2d,  1847, 
Congressional  Globe,  'id  tessitm  29/A  Corif^ress,  p.  240. 

The  House  refused  to  suspend  the  rules  for  the  introduction  of  that 
resolution,  76  members  voting  in  the  affirmative,  and  88  in  the  negative. 

*  "  In  organizing  government*  over  these  territories,  fraught  with  such 
Vast  advantages  to  every  portion  of  our  Union,  I  invoke  that  spirit  of  con- 
cession, conciliation,  and  compromise  in  your  deliberations,  in  which  the 
Constitution  was  framed,  in  which  it  should  be  administered,  and  which  is 
«o  indispensable  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  the  harmony  and  union  of  the 
States.  We  should  never  forget  that  this  union  of  confederated  States 
was  established  and  cemented  by  kindred  blood,  and  by  the  common 
toils,  sufferings,  dangers,  and  triumphs  of  all  its  parts,  and  hns  tH>cn  the 
ever  augmenting  source  of  our  national  greatness  and  of  all  our  blessings. 

There  hos,  perhaps,  been  no  period  since  the  warning  so  impressively 
given  to  his  countrymen  by  Washington,  to  guard  against  geographical 
divisions  and  sectional  parties,  which  appeals  with  greater  force  than  the 
present  to  the  patriotic,  sober-minded,  and  reflecting  of  all  parties  and  of 
all  sections  of  our  country.  Who  can  calculate  the  value  of  our  };lorious 
Union  7  It  is  a  model  and  example  of  free  government  to  all  the  world, 
and  is  the  star  of  hope  and  haven  of  rest  to  the  oppressed  of  every  clime. 
By  its  preservation  we  have  been  rapidly  advanced  as  a  nation  to  a  height 
of  strength,  power,  and  happiness,  without  a  parallel  in  the  history  of  the 
world.  As  we  extend  its  blessings  over  new  regions,  shall  we  be  so  un- 
wise as  to  endanger  its  existence  by  geographical  divisions  and  ilissen- 
sions?" — Message,  of  Mr.  Polk  to  Con/rress,  July  6,  1848. 


"  ^^r«w^r»i"'"WW«H 


442 


HISTORY     OP     THE 


Indeed,  the  agitation  upon  the  sulyect  of  slavery 
had  increased  in  violence  since  the  elevation  of  Mr. 
Polk  to  the  j^^-iesideuiial  chair.     The  question  which 

% 

it  is  oflTicially  announced,  will  be  sent  to  this  country,  with  power  to  treat 
on  tlie  .subject. 

•'  Tliis  fnct,  it  is  believed,  will  justify  the  opinion  I  have  formed,  tlial  It 
;vill  nut  be  couKistcnt  with  the  public  interest  to  communicate  the  corros- 
poiiHcnce  and  instructions  requested  by  the  House,  so  long  as  the  nego> 
tiations  shall  be  pending. 

"  Signed,  ANDREW  JACKSON." 

In  that  resolution  the  demand  was  for  the  correspondence  between  the 
two  Republics,  as  well  as  the  instructions  to  the  charge  d'  afTuircs.  The 
President  refused  to  give  either.  And  yet  in  tliat  case  the  correspondence 
was  as  well  known  to  the  Government  of  Ouenos  Ayres  as  to  our  own. 
Tio  fear  could  be  expressed,  therefore,  that  injury  would  result  from  the 
correspDndence  falling  into  the  possession  of  that  Government,  because  it 
wa8  already  in  their  possession.  Not  so  in  the  case  of  the  Slideli  instruc* 
lions. 

The  ovil.s  resulting  from  the  publication  of  diplomatic  correspondence, 
was  donionstruted  in  the  case  of  the  treaty  with  France.  Aftor  that  treaty 
was  ratified  by  our  Government,  the  correspoiicifuce  was  called  for  and 
published,  and  the  effect  was  a  refusal  for  a  time  of  the  French  Cliainbora 
to  ratify  the  treaty,  and  the  two  countries  were  brought  to  the  verge  of  a 
war.  This  (huiger  w  ,ild  undoubtedly  have  been  obviated,  if  the  corres- 
pondence had  been  withheld  until  the  treaty  had  been  ratitied  by  both  Go 
vemments. 

On  tl'.o  'il2d  of  April,  1842,  a  resolution  offered  by  Mr.  Allen,  came 
up  for  action  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  The  resolution  called 
upon  the  President  for  ill  the  information  in  his  possession  with  regard 
to  the  cslal)li.>'limcnt  in  the  State  of  RIkmIc  Island  of  a  republican  form  of 
povernineiit,  in  the  place  of  the  land  company  charter  granted  by  King 
Charles  II.  of  Kngland ;  and  with  that  infr.r.uation  all  correBp<mdenco,  proc* 
laiiiatiotis,  orders  and  proceedings  of  any  character  and  description  what- 
soever, wliicb  had  been  taken  on  the  part  of  the  E.\ccutive  (iovernment 
of  the  United  States  touching  that  matter. 

Mr  .Mien  remarked  that  he  wanted  distinctly  to  be  understood  before 
the  country,  that  the  resolution  pointed  to  Kxecutive  action,  and  not  totlio 
merits  or  demerits  of  the  controversy  in  that  State.  Mr.  Preston  spoke 
of  the  iinpllcy  of  any  i.ction  on  the  subject  by  the  Senate  in  the  p'esent 
juncture  of  affairs,  and  moved  to  lay  the  rcrolution  on  the  table.    I'how 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


443 


had  been  compromised  by  the  framei-s  jf  the  Cuii- 
8tituti<jn,  and  again  by  Congress  when  Missouri  \\  as 
admitted  into  the  Union,  now  raged  with  startling 

who  voted  in  tlie  affirmative,  were  Messrs.  Archer,  Bagby,  Barrow,  Bates, 
Berrien,  Cnliioun,  Choate,  Clayton,  Conrad,  Crittenden,  Ciithbert,  Bivans, 
(Jrahatn,  Huntington,  King,  Mangum,  Miller,  Phelps,  Porter,  Preston, 
Sitnmons,  tSmith  of  Indiana,  Sprague,  and  I'alhnadge,  so  it  was  laid  upon 
the  tiihlc. 

Here  was  a  case  where  it  was  supposed  that  the  President  of  tlie  Uni- 
ted States  had  or  was  about  to  interfere  in  the  intemnl  aflairs  of  a  State, 
and  thnt  he  intended  to  exercise  the  power  vested  in  him  as  Commander- 
i  n-cliief  of  tlie  army  for  that  purpose,  the  effect  of  which  might  be  to  in- 
volve the  country  in  a  civil  war.  Although  it  was  purely  a  donwslic  ques- 
tion, and  did  not  involve  delicate  negotiations  with  foreign  powers,  yet  the 
Senate  refused  to  make  the  call  upon  the  President. 

THE  McLEOD  CASK. 
On  the  22d  of  February,  1842,  Mr.  Allen  of  Ohio,  introduced  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  into  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  requested  to 
inform  the  Senate,  if  in  his  opinion  it  may  bo  done  without  detriment  to 
the  p\iblic  interest,  what  proceedings,  if  any,  have  taken  place  between 
this  and  the  British  Government  relative  to  the  matter  of  the  Caroline,  and 
the  arrest  and  demand  of  Mcljetxl,  siijco  the  date  of  his  last  communica- 
tion on  this  subject,  and  to  lay  b^f-"-  tho  Senate  a  copy  of  the  corres- 
pondence which  may,  subsequently  ^o  that  date,  have  passed  between  these 
Governments  relative  to  the  same  matters." 

Mr.  Rives,  who  wos  st  that  time  chairman  of  the  committee  on  lor- 
eign  affiiirs,  made  the  fr)lliiwing  observations.  (Congressional  fil'-.'ie,  p. 
269.)  "  .Mr.  Rives  said  it  appeared  to  him  it  would  be  virtiiiilly  taking 
the  department  of  foreign  affairs  into  their  own  hands.  What  was  it  the 
honorable  Senator  desired  ?  Not  the  facts  connected  with  the  case. 
These  he  was  already  in  possession  of.  But  he  wants  to  know  in  what 
manner  the  negotiation  had  been  carried  cm  between  the  two  (invem- 
ments.  In  what  re8|)oct  was  the  Constitution  so  impaired  that  it  l)erame 
necessary  for  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  to  take  out  of  the  hands  of 
the  Kxecntivn  the  control  of  foreign  negotiations?" 

"  It  was  siiid  that  the  public  interests  was  not  likely  to  sustain  ony  de- 
triment by  the  publication  of  those  negotiations,  but  inch  pcndeiitly  of  the 
want  of  courtesy  and   indelicacy  towards  the  Executive,  there   were 


JASl*Kli   J-IJJllAllV. 
Or-aii!  Maich  1.1 'M4 


Insf'J   Ai>j.  2'«^  1 


H"^ 


444 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


violence,  and  fresh  materials  were  given  to  the 
raging  element  by  the  acquisition  of  territory  from 
Mexico. 


abundant  reasons  why  an  inquiry  of  this  kind  should  not  be  made  at  this 
moment." 

"  Mr.  RIvca  moved  that  the  resolution  be  laid  upon  the  table.  The  mo- 
tion was  decided  in  tlie  affirmative.  Yeas  24 ;  nays  13." — Senate  Journal, 
p.  186. 

Those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative  were  Archer,  Barrow,  Bates,  Ber- 
rien, Calhoun,  Clioate,  Clay,  Clayton,  Evans,  Henderson,  King,  Mangum, 
Merrick,  Morehead,  Porter,  ProntisB,  Preston,  Rives,  Simmons,  Smith  of 
Indiana,  Southard,  Sprague,  Tallmadge,  Woodbridge. 

Thos3  who  voted  in  the  negative  were  Allen,  Benton,  Fulton,  Linn, 
McRoberts,  Pierce,  Sevier,  Smith  of  Conn.,  Sturgeon,  Tappan,  Wood- 
bury, Wright,  Young. 

In  this  case  the  reason  assigned  for  laying  the  resolution  on  the  table, 
was  that  the  Senate  had  no  right  to  take  the  foreign  negotiations  of  the 
country  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Executive,  and  that  it  would  exhibit  a 
want  of  courtesy,  and  be  an  act  of  indelicacy  towards  the  Executive. 

In  that  case  the  lives  of  our  citizens  had  been  sacrificed,  and  their  pro- 
perty destroyed,  upon  the  undisputed  soil  of  the  Republic.  The  injury 
was  still  unredressed.  The  solemn  appeal,  "  I  am  an  American  citizen," 
was  unanswered  ;  and  it  was  to  hasten  the  day  of  atonement,  that  the  de- 
mand was  to  be  made  upon  the  Executive,  and  ;'et  Senators  who  now  cla- 
mor alM)nt  "  unlawful  assumption  of  power,"  could  then  fold  their  arms 
upon  their  breasts,  because  it  would  be  "  indelicate  to  interfere." 

f)n  the  9th  of  April,  1846,  resolutions  were  introduced  into  the  House 
of  RcprosentativPH  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Ingersoll,  calling  upon  the  .State  Depart- 
ment for  information  relative  to  the  conduct  of  Daniel  Webster,  while  act- 
ing as  Secretary  of  State. 

Mr.  Inperpoll  prefaced  his  resolutions  with  the  distinct  charge,  that 
Mr.  VVobsler  while  Secretary  of  State  had  been  guilty  of  misdemeanors 
in  officp,  mid  fhnt  he  had  made  a  fraudulent  misapplication  and  personal 
use  nf  the  public  fund,  &c.,  and  that  the  information  sought  for  would  es- 
tabli.xh  tlin.se  facts. 

Ainotn,'  those  who  voted  against  the  resolutions  v/ere  Messrs.  J.  Q. 
Admiis,  .\shmun,  Onrrott  Davis,  Hudson,  Thomas  Butler  King,  Schenck, 
and  Truiiiiin  Niiiith. 

The  President  (Irclinod  to  comply  with  the  refolut'on,  assigning  as  a 
rensdii  tliat  there  wiis  a  law  in  existence  to  the  following  effect ;  When 
money  is  drawn  from  the  treasury  unfler  any  law  making  appmpriations 


POLK     ADMINISTKATION. 


445 


Diu'ing  the  fii-st  session  of  the  29th  Congi-ess  a 
l)ill  was  introduced  into  the  House  of  llepresentn- 
tives,  iipj)ro]»riating  ^2,000,000,  foi"  the  j)ur|)ose  of 
defraying  any  extraordinary  expenses  whicli  niiglit 
he  inenrred  in  the  intercoui-se  between  the  United 
States  and  foreign  nations.  Tliis  appropriation  was 
desired  to  enabh^  the  President  to  obtain  California 
in  any  treaty  which  might  be  concluded  between 
the  two  countries.*  It  was  to  this  l)ill  that  Mr. 
David  Wilinot,  of  Pennsylvania,  proposed  his  cele- 


for  the  oonfingent  expenses  between  tlie  United  States  and  foreipi  na- 
tions, if  in  the  judgment  of  the  President  the  expenditure  of  nny  sums 
should  not  be  made  public,  he  has  only  to  make  a  certificate  of  the  amount 
thereof,  which  is  a  sufficient  vourher. 

Here  a  law  which  can  be  repealed,  authorized  the  President  to  be  con- 
trolled by  bis  judgment  merely,  and  upon  the  groimd  that  cerlificutos  had 
been  made  by  some  of  his  predecessors,  President  Poli<  refused  to  comply 
with  the  request  of  the  House. 

In  that  case  a  distinct  cliargo  had  been  made  against  a  man  high  in  of- 
fice, which,  if  true,  would  subject  him  to  impeachment.  In  was  a  matter 
in  which  foreign  Governments  had  no  concern  ;  it  was  a  domestic  question 
strictly,  and  yet  those  gentlemen  not  only  vote  against  the  passage  of  the 
resolution,  but  upon  the  refusal  of  the  Executive  to  comply  with  the  call, 
they  are  warm  in  their  commendations  of  his  conduct. 

In  the  case  now  under  consideration,  where  the  President  intrenchoii 
himself  behind  his  constitutional  rights,  and  his  duty  to  his  country,  when 
the  subject  of  controversy  is  not  a  domestic  question  merely,  but  one  in- 
volving the  foreign  policy  of  the  country,  and  that,  too,  in  a  time  of  war, 
these  same  gentlemen  are  loud  in  their  denunciations  of  the  President. 

After  an  examination  of  all  these  precedents,  it  is  difficult  to  see  how 
memt)ers  of  the  whig  party  can  complain  of  the  exercise  of  the  power  by 
the  President  in  refusing  to  comply  with  the  resolutions.  Upon  c()u>titH- 
t'onal  grounds,  upon  the  precedents  set  by  liis  predecessors,  and  upon  the 
question  of  expediency,  it  is  difficult  to  see  how  the  conduct  of  the  Kxer- 
utive  can  be  successfully  assailed  for  discharging  a  sacred  obligation  to 
the  Constitution  ami  to  the  coimtry. — \i>le  by  Ihe  aiilhor. 

*  See  ('ongressional  Globe,  1st  Session  21>th  Congress,  p.  1213-6 
Ibid.  1218. 


'^MpWP^I«^^P»«1w^"'f» 


446 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


brated  provaso,  which  was  incorporated  into  it  by 
the  votes  of  noi-thern  Representatives*  On  th<^  «o- 
grossraent  of  the  bill,  which  was  the  test  \ote,  i}Mir»t 
were  85  yeas,  and  79  nays.  All  who  voted  m  the  af- 
firmative  were  from  the  free  States,  except  tw(>,  aiwj 
all  who  voted  in  the  negative  were  from  the  dav« 
States,  except  twelve. 

When  the  Senate  took  up  this  bill  for  conwdewk 
tion,  Mr,  Lewis,  of  Alal)ania,  moved  to  strike  </ta)t 
the  Wilraot  j)roviso.  It  Avas  near  the  hour  fixed  hy 
joint  resolution  of  the  two  Houses  for  the  adjouJii- 
nient  of  Congress.  Mr.  Davis,  of  Maswathu'se+'tjit, 
proceeded  to  discuss  the  bill,  and  although  twioe 
reminded  by  Mr.  Lewis  that  he  would  pre\  eut  skC' 
tion  by  thus  consuming  time,  he  contiimed  to  awj' 
dress  the  Senate  until  the  House  had  adjourmxl 
sine  (lie. 

During  the  second  session  of  the  2flth  Congf**«, 
a  T)ill  was  introduced  to  place  at  the  dis]x>8ai  of  tJt>.? 
President  $3,000,000,  to  be  used  if  necessary  in  <um' 
eluding  a  treaty  of  peace.  The  Wihnot  proviw* 
was  again  offered  as  an  amendment  to  the  Ijili.  Mr. 
Douglas,  of  Illinois,  moved  to  amend  the  j>j(ni«j»<, 
by  declaring  that  it  should  apply  alone  to  t<^j'j-it<;»jj 
north  of  36°  and  30'  north  latitude.f    This  ymjiM*' 

*  ronjrrei'Bional  Globe,  2d  session  29th  Congress,  424. 

t  "  Providpil,  That  ns  an  express  and  fiindninental  condition  U>tbeiM> 
qnisition  of  any  territory  from  the  republic  of  Mexico  by  the  United  HtaVofe. 
by  virtue  of  nny  treoty  thot  moy  bo  negotiated  between  ibein,  and  Iw  ■tli*' 
use  by  the  Kxecutive  of  the  moneys  herein  appropriated,  neither  xlituorjr 
nor  involuntary  servitude  shall  ever  exist  in  any  part  of  Haid  terril»ry.  «»■ 
cept  for  crime,  whereof  the  party  shall  first  be  duly  convicted. '" — fruvim) 
intrnfhiced  hy  Wilmol,  Conf(ressional  Globe,  \st  seision  29lh  C't«^<fes» 

p.  iai7. 


POLK     ADMINISTBAHMvff, 


447 


Mr 


sition  was  rejected  by  a  \<Am  </[  Vjl  tfv  V^.  Mr, 
Graham  moved  to  amend  the  pj;</\ii»i<)».  I>)y  atwf'rting 
that  slavery  should  l>e  prohibitHd  Wi«H%  cf  the  Mis- 
souri compromise  line  of  50-  ami  ;5iti)^  mti  tolei-ated 
south  of  it,  if  a  majority  of  the  j,»^j<,i]j>11(»  iin  awj  new 
State  should  authorize  it  by  theii-  «<,iiu«<tiifliitf,i<)n.  Tliis 
motion  was  also  rejected,  by  a  \\<A/>:  if4  x  1  to  1  <  >4. 
On  the  proposition  to  incor]»<.>j'a'te  liW  Wihii<»t  f pro- 
viso into  the  three  milli(ju  bUI,  jtlUi-  Kfctt'.  wa.-<  i  1 ') 
yeas,  and  106  nays*  All  who  \<j(tin<ll  m  flhe  affirma- 
tive were  fi'om  the  free  Htate*,  *^n%|)«  J'l.hn  W. 
Houston,  of  Delaware,  and  all  \niKy  i^6«<^(l  in  the 
negative  were  fi-om  the  ^lave  Ktal**..  »i'nt|l|i  rhe  fvcey)- 
tion  of  Messiu  Charles  J.  lugejwJJ..  M<».f;Van,  Krd- 
man,  of  Pennsylvania;  Douglas,  iHii^iklSitti,.  i+nd  \rc- 
Clernard,  of  Illinois;  Owen  and  %'''^.^,.ci  Indiana; 
Sawyer,  St.  John,  IMorris,  l^ai-isL,  ^Ammf\%\\%x{\^  and 
Morris,  of  Ohio ;  and  Strong,  <jf  -N^'W'V''.vli:.  On  the 
passage  of  the  bill  as  amended,  the  ^'^A&:  wjw  1 1  .'>  to 
105.  The  three  milMon  Itill  j)a**».n<!i  t%f>  ^nate  f)n 
the  1st  of  March,  1847,  without  lAi*-  j>*w^iH«-),  l)y  a 
vote  of  20  to  24.  The  tw(j  Hou*.**  -vjif.n  fhist  i|nes- 
tion,  then,  were  at  issue,  an<l  oin  h-wt  fo  yj^lil,  f>r 
the  bill  would  fail.  On  the  VA  <j!f  .Mwi^il.  l^\'.  tlie 
Senate  bill  was  taken  up  tbi-  con»u'4«'T;4ifi«'>n  in  the 
House  of  Represeutat'ves,  and  Mj.  Wiil'iiv.f  niov^d 
to  amend  it  by  inserting  his  ])n^viw::  (tfti*-  iiwofion  wa>i 
rejected  by  a  vote  of  '.*7  in  th<^  attinutdtiK^.".  f..  Iu2  in 
the  negative,  Tlie  bill  then  jjasond  llW^  Hi'.une  by  a 
majonty  of  34. 


*  Congrecsioiia'  Globe,  2d  sesnion  ''9tii  Coiigtw*.  ^  ttSt 


••n^m 


448 


niHTOBY     OF     THE 


Thas  tli<?  provi*>  wjw  t<Tn[»orarily  defeated  in 
1»oth  hraiicheH  of  th<;  national  legislature.  The  «|ues- 
tioti,  however,  wsm  not  decidi-d,  hut  only  postponed, 
and  vhe  exeit4'iii<'nt  which  resulted  from  it  rages 
with  't  vioh'iice  that  threatens  the  most  disastrous 
C(  msequenees, 

Th«'  President  attempted  to  pour  oil  upon  the 
troubled  wat^'rs  whicli  tlu;  "*torm  had  driven  against 
the  j)illai-s  of  the  Constitution,  and  threatened  to 
undermine  tlmt  glorious  fahiic,  and  involve  it  in  ir- 
retrievalde  ruin.  In  his  m««sage  to  the  House  of 
Rej)re!^('ntutiv<«,  appr«»ving  the  Oregon  territorial 
Lill,  he  laid  down  a  i^hart  hy  which  the  American 
peoj)le  migljt  ]n:  governed  in  the  admission  of  new 
States,  M'liihi  he  Molemfiiy  ajijjealed  to  the  patriotism 
and  good  seuwe  of  all  tt>  allay  the  excitement.*. 

*  "  The  MiKwjuri  r/nn\trimi\*i;  confiiinH  a  prohibition  of  slavery  through- 
out all  the  v;icl  rejfi'rti*,  <rxl^mrlin((  twfilvn  and  a  half  de^ees  along  the 
Pacific,  from  tlte  |Kir!ill<;l  lA  thirtjr-aix  df;greefi  thirty  minuteH,  to  tliat  of  for- 
ty-nine dc(:re<'i- ;  atvJ  <«»t  fjorn  that  ocfan  to  and  beyond  the  aummit  c.f 
the  Rocky  M<*u/i'ai(i»,  Why,  t\it^,  iihould  o!ir  inHtitutions  be  endangered 
becaiiw  it  in  f)ro(x*<!d  «/»  *n\nnA  to  the  people  of  the  remainder  of  our 
newly  ac<)uired  territiiry  lyifijf  viiith  f>f  thirty-six  degree«,  thirty  minutes, 
embracing  leu*  tlian  (imr  lU-nTittrn  of  latitude,  the  question  whether,  in  the 
lansriinge  of  the  Texiu  ciitnprfmiim;  they  '  shall  !«  admitted  (as  a  State) 
into  tlip  Union  with  iir  with<r»t  slavery  V  Is  this  a  question  to  lie  pushed 
to  sucli  exiri'Hiitie*  l/y  tnu<\U-A  pnrtlsans  on  the  one  side  or  on  the  other,  in 
regiird  to  <nir  newly  i«v|iiirM|  distant  pfwnessions  on  the  Pacific,  as  to  en- 
danger tiie  union  o,'  Ihifty  i^frions  .States  which  constitute  onr  confede- 
racy ?  I  have  an  nHMiitK  wmfi/U^Tice  that  the  sober  reflection  and  sound 
patriotiiini  of  all  tlx;  HUlUm,  will  liring  them  to  the  conclusion  that  the  dic- 
tate of  wii-drHn  if  U>  fiAUfW  tinr  examplf:  of  those  who  have  gone  twfore  us, 
and  settle  this  danjferott*  qn/»*itjori  on  the  Missouri  Compromise,  or  some 
other  equitable  i-inHfiTi>ini»f!,  wUirU  would  respect  the  rights  of  all,  and 
prove  satiffacl/jry  U>  tlttt  diflVrrpnt  prirtions  of  the  Union. 

"  Ilfilditig  ac  a  Mirr't)  tnwt  the  Kxecutive  authority  for  the  whole 
Union,  and  b<juiid  Ut  ifiurd  ttie  right*  of  all,  I  should  be  constrnined,  by  a 


'C. 


>- 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


449 


In  the  Convention  which  framed  the  Constitu- 
tion, the  (question  of  slavery  was  the  subject  of  eai-n- 
est  discussion.  The  views  of  the  delegates  differed 
widely,*  and  only  harmonized  when  they  were  con- 

scnsc  of  duty,  to  withhold  my  official  Hanctinn  from  any  measure  which 
would  conflict  with  these  iiii|)ortant  objects." — Message  of  Mr.  Polk  to 
tlie  Hoiisp  of  Represenlalives,  August  14,  1848. 

♦  "  Mr.  King  tliouglit  the  subject  sliould  be  considered  in  a  political 
light  only.  If  two  States  will  not  agree  to  the  Constitution,  as  stated  on 
one  side,  he  would  affirm  with  equal  belief,  on  the  other,  that  great  and 
equal  opposition  would  be  e.xperienced  from  the  other  States.  He  re- 
marked on  the  exemption  of  slaves  from  duty,  whilst  every  other  impost 
was  subjected  to  it,  as  an  inequality  that  could  not  fail  to  strike  the  com- 
mercial sngaeity  of  tlio  Northern  and  Middle  States. 

"  Mr.  Ijtngdon  was  strenuous  for  giving  the  power  to  the  General 
Government.  He  could  not,  with  a  good  conscience,  leave  it  with  the 
States,  who  could  then  go  on  with  tlie  traffic,  without  being  restrained 
by  the  opinions  here  given,  that  they  will  themselves  cease  to  import 
slaves. 

"  General  Pinckney  thought  himself  boimd  to  declare  candidly,  that  he 
did  not  think  South  Carolina  would  stop  her  importations  of  slaves  in  any 
short  time  ;  but  only  stop  them  occasionally,  as  she  now  does.  He  moved 
to  commit  the  clause,  that  slaves  might  be  made  liable  to  an  equal  tax 
with  other  imposts,  which  he  thought  right,  and  which  would  remove  one 
difficulty  that  had  been  started. 

"  Mr.  Rutlcdgc.  If  the  Convention  thinks  that  North  Carolina,  South 
Carolina,  and  Georgia,  will  ever  agree  to  the  plan,  unless  their  right  to  im- 
port slaves  be  untouched,  the  expectation  is  vain.  The  people  of  those 
States  will  never  be  such  fools  as  to  give  up  so  important  an  interest.  He 
was  strenuous  against  striking  out  the  section,  and  seconded  the  motion  of 
General  Pinckney  for  a  commitment. 

"  Mr.  Gouvemeur  Morris  wiNhcd  the  whole  subject  to  be  committed, 
including  the  clauses  relating  to  taxes  on  imports,  anc'  to  a  naviga- 
tion act.  These  things  may  form  a  bargain  among  the  Northern  and 
Southern  States. 

"Mr.  Butler  declared  that  ho  never  would  agree  to  the  power  of  tax- 
ing exports. 

"  Mr.  Sherman  said  it  was  better  to  let  the  Southern  States  import 
slaves,  than  to  part  with  them,  if  they  made  that  a  sine  qua  mm.  He  was 
opposed  to  a  tnx  on  slaves  imported,  os  making  the  matter  worse,  be- 
cause it  implied  they  were  properly.  He  acknowledged  that,  if  the  power 
29 


^ 

•^ 


^ 

-* 

^ 


U 
A 


A 


450 


UI8T0BT     OF     TUE 


trolled  by  a  spirit  of  concession  and  compromi«e. 
If  they  had  adhered  to  their  pei^sonal  opinions  with 
the  same  dogmatical  purpose  which  governs  the  po- 
liticians of  the  present  age,  the  draft  of  a  Constitu- 
tion would  not  have  been  submitted  to  the  people 
for  ratification.  And  if  one  *of  the  extremes  had 
yielded  every  thing  to  the  other,  the  instrument, 
insti'ad  of  being  sanctioned,  would  have  been  sum- 
marily and  indignantly  rejected. 

Mr,  King,  a  member  of  the  Convention  from 
Massachusetts,  remarked,  that  the  exemption  of 
slav(!s  from  a  duty,  while  uj)on  every  other  ai'ticle 
of  imj)ort  the  tariff  wjus  levied,  would  produce  an 
ineipiality  which  could  not  fail  to  stiike  the  com- 
mercial sagacity  of  the  Noith.  It  was  evident  that 
he  not  oidy  contemplated  the  existence  of  slavery 
within  the  l)orders  of  the  Union,  Initthathe  counted 
upon  raising  revenue  upon  all  negroes  who  mif^ht 
thereafter  be  imj)orted.  Mr.  Rutledge  declared  that 
North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  and  Georgia,  would 
never  agree  to  the  Constitution,  unless  their  right 
to  import  slaves  was  uiiimj)aired,  while  Gouverneur 
Mori'is  declared  the  subject  should  be  referred  to  a 
Committee,  and  made  the  sulyect  of  a  ]»argain,  be- 
tween the  Northern  and  Southern  States.  Colonel 
Mason,  from  Virginia,  denounc(!d  the  traffic  as  in- 
fernal, onginating  in  the  avarice  of  British  mer- 
chants ;*  while  Roger  Sherman  declared  that  it  was 

of  proliibitirjr  the  iinportalion  slioiilil  bn  pivon  to  tlip  General  (jovominent, 
it  would  be  excrci-sod.  Ho  thought  it  would  ho  its  duty  to  exorciiie  iIm> 
power." — Thf  Miulisnn  Papers,  cimlainin<r  Debulrs  in  the  Conipnliim, 
p.  460-1. 

*  "  Colonel  Mason.    This  infernal  trafHc  originated  in  tlic  avarice  of 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


451 


better  to  let  the  Southeni  States  import  slaves, 
than  to  pai-t  with  them,  although  he  refused  to  tax 
them,  because  it  implied  they  were  pvoiierty. 

The  question  was  compromised  by  allowing  the 
States  to  import  slaves  until  the;  year  1808,  by  pay- 
ing a  duty  often  dollai-s  upon  each  person.* 

The  right  of  the  Soutli  to  slave  representation  in 
Congi-eas,  wa>!  uLo  a  delicate   matter  to   adjust.f 

British  merehnntH.  The  British  Government  constantly  checked  tiie  at- 
temptH  of  Virginia  to  pnt  a  stop  to  it.  The  present  iiuestion  concerns  not 
the  itnportint;  States  alone,  but  the  whole  Union.  The  evil  of  having 
slaves  was  experienced  during  the  late  war.  Had  slaves  l)cen  treated  aa 
they  might  have  been  by  the  enemy,  tliey  would  have  proved  dangerous 
instruments  in  their  hatids,  But  their  folly  dealt  by  the  slaves  as  it  did 
by  the  tories.  lie  mentioned  the  dangerous  insurrections  of  the  slaves  in 
Greece  and  Sicily  ;  and  the  instructions  given  by  Cromwell  tothe('om- 
niissioncrs  sent  to  Virginia,  to  arm  the  servants  anil  slaves,  in  case  other 
means  of  obtaining  its  submission  should  fail.  Maryland  and  Virginia,  he 
said,  had  already  prohibited  the  importation  of  slaves,  expressly.  North 
Carolina  had  done  the  same  in  substance.  All  this  would  be  in  vain,  if 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia  be  at  lilierty  to  im|H)rt.  The  western  people 
are  already  calling  out  for  slaves  for  their  new  lands,  and  will  till  that 
country  with  slaves,  if  they  can  be  got  through  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia.  Slavery  discourages  arts  and  manufactures.  The  poor  despise 
labor  when  performed  by  slaves.  They  prevent  the  emigration  of  whites, 
who  really  enrich  and  strengtiien  a  country.  They  produce  the  most  per- 
nicious effect  on  manners.  Every  master  of  sloves  is  born  a  petty  tyrant. 
They  bring  the  judgment  of  Heaven  on  a  country.  As  nations  cannot  be 
rewarded  or  punished  in  the  next  world,  they  must  be  in  this.  By  an  in- 
evitable chain  of  causes  and  effects.  Providence  punishes  national  sins  by 
national  calamities.  He  lamented  that  some  of  our  eastern  brethren  had, 
from  a  lust  of  gain,  embarked  in  this  nefarious  traffic.  As  to  the  States 
being  in  possession  of  the  right  to  import,  this  was  the  case  with  many 
other  rights,  now  to  be  properly  given  up.  He  held  it  essential,  in  every 
point  of  view,  that  the  Gen"rnl  Government  should  have  power  to  prevent 
the  increase  of  slavery." — Madison  Papers,  containing  Debates  in  the 
Gmiention,  p.  468. 

♦  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  Article  1 ,  Section  9. 

f  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  Article  6,  Section  3,  Madison 
Papers,  p.  181. 


452 


HI8T0KY     OF     THE 


That  too  was  comprorni.sed  l»y  giving  to  the  slave 
States  three  votes  in  the  enunieratii)n  for  every  live 
slaves,  in  making  out  the  ratio  of  representation.  It 
has  been  erroneously  assci'  I,  that  tliis  right  of  the 
South  to  slave  rej)resentati')U  gave  that  [)ortion  of 
the  Union  gi-eatly  the  advantage  over  the  North. 
That  this  is  not  true,  is  evident  fi-om  the  fact,  that 
three-fifths  only  of  the  slaves  are  counted  in  enu- 
. merating  the  iM)pulation,  while  if  the}  were  fiee, 
five-fifths,  or  all,  would  he  taken  into  the  calcula- 
tion. The  proposition  t<j  include  three-fifths  of  the 
slaves  in  the  ratio  of  rej>resentation,  was  made 
by  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Pennsylvania.*  Mr.  Gerry  ex- 
pressed the  opinion  that  as  property  should  not  be 
the  rule  of  representation,  that  the  l)lacks,  who  were 
property  in  the  South,  could  not  come  within  the 
rule  of  refjresentation,  more  than  the  cattle  and 
horses  of  the  North.f 

*  Madison  Papers,  con;aining  Debates  in  the  Convention,  p.  181. 

t  Mr.  Gerry,  of  Maggachunett«,  "thought  property  not  tlie  rule  of  re- 
presentation. Why,  then,  should  the  blacl<s,  who  were  property  in  the 
South,  be  in  the  rule  of  representation  more  than  the  cattle  and  horses  of 
the  North." 

'*  Mr.  King  wished  to  know  what  influence  the  vote  just  passed  was 
meant  to  have  on  the  succeeding  part  of  the  report,  concerning  the  admis- 
sion of  slavery  into  the  rule  of  representation.  Ho  could  not  reconcile  his 
mind  to  the  article,  if  it  was  to  prevent  objections  to  the  latter  part.  The 
admission  of  slaves  was  a  most  grating  circumstance  to  his  mind,  and  he 
believed  would  be  so  to  a  great  part  of  the  people  of  America.  Ho  had 
not  made  a  strenuous  opposition  to  it  heretofore,  because  he  had  hoped 
that  this  concession  liad  produced  a  readiness,  which  had  not  been  mani- 
fested, to  strengthen  the  General  Government,  and  to  mark  a  full  confi- 
dence in  it.  The  report  under  consideration  had,  by  the  tenor  of  it,  put  an 
end  to  all  these  hopes.  In  two  great  points,  the  hands  of  the  Legislature 
were  absolutely  tied.  The  importation  of  slaves  could  not  be  prohibited. 
EJxports  could  not  be  taxed.    Is  this  reasonable  7    What  are  tlic  great 


ruaii'l  >IaicJi  i.  !.'>.>{ 

Iiist'^    Ay.i\  2^-'  1.'?'.' 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


453 


Tlic  (lucstion  of  (loincHtic  slavtiiy,  which  was  a 
fruitful  M<.urci'  (»f  dissfiision  and  aiuircliy,  was  anur 
l>r<niiixid  by  the  frainei-s  of  the  Constitution.  In 
Hfttlin^  HO  delicate  a  subject  their  course  was  char- 
a('t«*i'i/»'d  by  great  candor  and  fairness,  and  had  a 
great  ert'cct  in  procuring  the  adoption  of  that  instru- 
ment by  the  people. 

The  arrest  and  delivery  of  fugitive  slaves  also 
claimed  the  attention  of  the  Convention.  It  was 
judposed  that  they  should  be  delivered  uj)  like  cri- 
niinids  l)y  the  Mvecutives  of  each  State  whither  they 
might  fl(!(f ;  in  the  sanje  way  that  pei'sons  chai'ged 
with  treason,  felony,  or  other  crime,  are  surrender- 
ed.* This  was  opjK)sed,  and  the  clause  as  it  now 
stands  wjis  substituted.! 

objpctii  of  \\w  (jf-ncrnl  fynlcm  ?  First,  dofrnce  ngninRt  foreign  invasion  ; 
KPronHly,  «(;iiinsl  i'llerriiil  scililion.  Slinll  all  tlicHc  Stntca,  then,  bo  bound  to 
dofcnd  enoli  other,  and  Hhiill  eiich  lie  nt  hberty  to  introduce  a  weaknoHs  which 
Will  rendi'r  defence  more  ditficnit  ?  Shall  one  part  of  the  United  States  be 
bound  to  defend  another  part,  and  that  other  part  t)c  at  lilierty,  not  only  to 
inrreaxe  it»  own  danper,  but  to  withhold  the  compensation  for  tlie  burden  ? 
If  slaveM  are  to  \yp  iiii|K)rt(><l,  shall  not  the  exports  produced  by  their  labor, 
■iipply  a  revenue  the  better  to  enable  the  (Jeneral  (Jovernment  to  defend 
their  masters  7" — Miulison  Papers,  containing  the  Debates  in  the  Convmt' 
lion,  p.  V.I], 

*  "Mr.  Hntler  and  Mr.  Pinckney  moved  to  require  'fugitive  slaves 
and  M-rvants  to  be  delivered  np  like  criminals.'  " 

"  Mr.  Wilson.  Thifl  would  oblige  the  E.Yecutlvo  of  the  State  to  do  it 
at  tlie  public  expense." 

"  .Mr.  Sherman  saw  no  more  propriety  in  the  public  seizing  and  sur- 
rendering a  slave  or  servant  than  a  horse." 

'•  .Mr.  Hiitlor  withdrew  his  proposition,  in  order  that  some  particular 
provision  might  l)C  made,  apart  from  this  article." — Madison  I'uikts,  487. 

t  "  No  pera(Mi  held  to  service  or  lalmr  in  one  State  under  the  laws 
theri-of,  escaping  intr)  another,  shall,  in  consequence  of  any  law  or  regulatinn 
tttnreiti.  Ix-  di.<charged  from  such  service  or  labor,  but  shall  U-  delivered 
lip,  on  rl.iiiii  of  the  |>arty  to  whom  such  service  or  labor  may  be  due."— 
ConsliliHiiiii  nf  the  United  Stales. 


m 


HISTORY     OF     TfIR 


These  provisions  of  the  Constitution  received  the 
sanction  of  every  seoti«)n  of  the  Union,  until  the 
whole  question  was  re-opened  when  Missouri  applied 
for  admission  into  the  Union,  in  \Hl\).  Tlic  high 
dei^'ee  of  excitement  wliich  prevaih-il  at  that  period, 
indicated  the  deep  feeling  with  whicli  the  (picstion 
was  regarded.  When  patiiots  had  almost  desj)air- 
ed,  and  the  hopes  which  were  entei-tained  for  the 
stability  of  the  Union  l)egaJi  to  grow  faint,  tin;  dig- 
ger was  averted  l>y  the  Missouri  Compromise  )»ill, 
which  passed  Congress  on  the  0th  of  March,  IS-JO.* 
The  rock  upon  which  the  ship  of  state  had  l)e<'n  near- 
ly wrecked  was  j)assed.  The  watchful  and  vigilant 
pilots  steered  her  in  safety  along  the  very  border 
of  the  })reakers,  but  so  near,  that  liei-  timbers  trem- 
bled in  every  joint  as  the  angry  waves  dashed  rude- 
ly upon  her  deck. 

The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  author- 
izes the  admission  of  new  States  into  the  Union,  and 
the  only  condition  which  governs  thi*  subject  is  the 
clause  making  it  necessary  for  the  United  States  to 
guarantee  to  every  State  a  republican  form  of  gov- 
ernment.   The  citizens  of  each  State  have  the  I'ight 


♦  ■'  That,  in  all  that  territory  ceded  hy  France  to  the  Unitod  Stateg, 
nnder  the  name  of  I/Oiiisiana,  which  lies  north  of  thirty-xlx  deijrees  and 
thirty  minutes  north  latitude,  not  included  within  the  !lmit»  of  the  State 
contemplated  by  this  act,  slavery  and  involuntary  servitude,  otherwise  than 
for  the  punishment  of  crimes,  whereof  the  parties  shall  l)e  duly  convicted, 
shall  be,  and  is  hereby,  for  ever  prohibited  :  I'riitidfd,  always,  That  any 
person  escaping  into  the  same,  from  whom  lal)or  or  service  is  lawfully 
claimed  In  any  Slate  or  Territory  of  the  United  States,  such  fugitive  may  be 
lawfully  reclaimed,  and  conveyed  to  the  person  claiming  his  or  her  lalior 
or  aervires  aforesaid." — Seclitm  Hth  of  art  of  Cimffrem,  passed  March 
6lh,  1820. 


POLK      AD  MIXIHT RATION. 


455 


to  manage  their  domestic  iriHtitutions,  aiul  possess 
the  coiirttitutiouul  jxjwer  to  establish  or  aljolish  slave- 
ry after  beuig  a«lmitte(l  into  the  Union.*  If  this 
position  is  concetlefj,  what  authority  does  Congi'ess 
jmsses",  incidentally,  to  contn^l  the  constitutional 
lights  of  the  States  to  establish  or  prohibit  slavery, 
at  the  time  they  apply  for  admission  into  the 
Union.  SupjMwe  the  General  Govermnent  should 
pass  a  law  esta))Hshing  slavery  in  New  Mexico,  it 
woidd  probably  liave  the  effect  of  making  that  a 
a  slave  State.  If,  on  the  contrary.  Congress  should 
pass  a  bill  containing  the  Wilmot  j)roviso,  it  might 
have  the  effect  of  creating  a  free  State  in  New  Mex- 
ico. The  question  then  aiises,  does  the  General 
Government  possess  the  power  thus  inchh'ntaVii  to 
affect  the  rights  of  the  States.  The  iidiabitants  of 
the  territories  have  more  interest  in  properly  set- 
tling the  slave  question  than  membei-s  of  Congress. 
Tliey  understand  much  lietter  their  necessities,  and 
their  responsibilities,  than  persons  who  do  not  re- 
side within  their  Itordcrs;  and  tliey  will  apjjreci- 
ate  to  a  far  greater  degree  the  blessings  of  the 

♦  "  Should  Conjrretiii,  whrn  California  sh-.M  present  lierself  for  an  in- 
corporation into  the  I!nion,  nnnox  a  condiliuii  to  her  iidmiHson  as  a  Stiito, 
affecting  her  domcutic  institution!!,  contrary  to  ttio  wishes  of  her  people, 
and  even  compel  her  temporarily  to  comply  with  it,  yet  the  Slate  could 
chanjfo  her  conKtitution  at  any  time  after  her  admission,  when  to  her  it 
should  Hcem  expedient.  It  \*  to  !«  expected  that  nuy  atteinirt  to  deny  the 
people  of  the  Htatc  the  right*  of  self-government,  in  a  matter  which  |)ecu- 
liarly  affects  themselves,  will  infallibly  he  regarded  by  them  as  an  invasion 
of  their  rights,  and  upon  the  principles  laid  down  in  our  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, they  will  certainly  Iw  snstaiiied  in  their  resistance  against  it 
by  the  great  mass  of  the  American  peopie." — Mensa^e  of  PresiJenl  Tay- 
lor to  the  Iloute  of  Repreaentaiicei,  January  2lst,  1860. 


S' 


AV^^ 


*V 


456 


IIlSTOnY     OF     THE 


Union,  if  pt'vmittcd  to  adjust  tlioii-  domestic  policy, 
untnunnit'Ucd  and  imcontrollcil  by  the  General  (lov- 
ernnieiit*     It  is  to  ha  ho])ed  that  Hufficieut  j)atriot- 

*  "  It  is  to  1)0  expected  that  in  the  reaiiliio  of  the  territory  onlctl  to  ;  » 
by  Mexico,  the  |)C()plo  resiihiig  t'lipre  will,  at  the  tiiiio  of  thoir  iiiciiri>-)riiti(>n 
into  tho  Union  as  a  State,  settle  all  (|iii'stions  of  doinestic  iinlicy  to  nuit 
thcinselvoi'." — .Message  of  Presulenl  Taijlur  In  the.  House  of  Rrprfmntalice.t, 
Januiinj  •21.s^  1850. 

This  policy  was  sustained  by  the  drmocrai.,  party  diiring  the  premdcn- 
tial  contest  of  18 18,  in  thoirsnpport  of  (Jcnoral  ("nss  for  the  prcsidciic . .  Tho 
wU\g  party  f,.in»  the  noilli,  as  well  as  a  niaiorily  of  the  dt'iiiocracy  Iroin 
that  section  of  the  Union,  dnrinfj  the  administration  of  .Mr.  I'olli,  hlrenii- 
ousl)  insisted  upon  tho  application  of  llie  Wilinot  proviso  to  the  terriloriea 
bolon;:in}j  to  the  United  States.  The  author,  on  tlie  Ist  of  August.  1848, 
introduced  tho  following  preamble  as  an  amendment  to  a  terriliTm I  liill : 

"  I'nniilid,  T'lnt  nothing  hore'n  contjiinod  shall  Ix;  considiTed  as  an 
as.suinplion  of  tho  power,  upon  tho  part  of  the  Congress  ol  ihc  rmiod 
Stales,  to  interfere  vith  the  establishment  of  slavery  in  said  territory  ;  or 
a;  authorizing  the  inliabitinit.s  thereof,  having  the  right  to  vote  by  the  pro- 
vi.-iions  .if  this  bill,  to  establish  or  prohibit  slavery  previous  to  an  application 
for  the  admission  of  said  territory  into  the  Union  as  a  sovereign  Stale." 

The  preamble  was  rejected,  although  it  embraces  the  principles  con- 
tained in  Taylor's  message  of  Uie  iilst  of  Jiintiary,  1850.  Ft  remains  to 
be  seen  whether  the  whig  party  of  the  North  will  abandon  the  ground 
which  they  have  hitherto  maintained  for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  (ieneral 
Taylor  in  the  positions  which  have  U-en  already  (juoted.  The  New-Vork 
Tribune,  in  an  article  written  before  the  message  of  General  Taylor  to 
the  House  of  Representatives,  Jaimary -J  1st,  1850,  had  lieen  r'ceived  in 
New- York,  having  surmised  with  great  accuracy  what  it  would  contain, 
proceeds  to  say : 

"On  these  and  similar  grounds  he  will  lirgo  Congress  tr)  leave  the 
settleuKMil  of  this  e.xriting  qiii'stion  to  the  territories  themselve.-*,  encour- 
aging tbein  to  form  State  Constitutions  at  an  eatly  day  and  apply  for  ad- 
mission into  the  Union,  which  Crmgress  ii,  exhorted  to  accord  promptly 
and  cordially.    Such,  we  infer  will  be  the  d./t  of  tho  President's  message. 

"  This  is  as  much,  we  presume,  as  a  Iioiiisiana  planter  could  1m'  ex- 
pected to  c<m('e(le,  but  it  by  no  me.ins  follows  that  it  sboiii''  ^atisfy 
norlhern  freemen  or  tli(>ir  rep'esenlatives.  Wo  are  utterly  indisposed  to 
hazard  the  Union  on  a  pimctilio,  or  to  exisporato  tho  public  sentimont  of 
a  section,  or  even  State,  on  .iiiy  question  of  form  or  etiquette.  We  are 
resigned  to  see  the  Wiliuol  Proviso,  or  any  other  Proviso,  again  anil  again 


POLK     ADMINISTUATION. 


4.-i7 


ism  still  remains  in  our  land  to  prt'servc  with  nn- 
cljan<,'('aljle  fidelity  that  Constitutinii,  wliirli  the 
fraternal  affection  of  our  fathers  i'stithlislicd.  it  is 
painful  t<)  e<>ntemj)]at(f  the  rnin  and  desulatiim  wliieh 
must  fnll(j\v  its  (h'struetion.  The  blood  wliicli  our 
ancestors  so  freely  shed,  flowed  in  vain  if  the  I  iiiou 
is  <lissolved ;  and  all  good  men  should  I'ally  foi- its 
protection,  with  the  same  unalteralile  ]mrj)ose  which 
won  our  lilx'rty  in  thi;  days  of  tlu!  i-evolutioii.  If 
the  Union  wjus  invaded  l»y  a  foreign  foe,  a  million 
of  bayoiH'ts  would  j)resent  a  glittering  wall  for  its 
defence,  and  a  nation  in  arms  would  attest  its  de- 
v«»tion  to  the  country's  htmor.  Why,  then,  should 
domestic  feuds  induce  us  to  destroy  that  oui'selves 
which  is  impregnaldc?  against  the  assaults  of  the 
world  combined.  There  are  bi'eakers  ahead  which 
warn  us  that  shoals  lie  within  the  bosom  of  the 
trackless  deep,  and  if  those  who  control  the  desti- 
nies of  the  gallant  ship,  which  has  on  boai'd  the 
hopes  of  freedom  and  the  rights  of  man,  are  foi-get- 
fui  of  their  obligations  to  the  past,  and  their  respon- 
sibilities to  the  future,  she  will  yet  he  lost  and 
storms  and  tempests  will  swee|)  unresistingly  over 
the  spot  where  despotism  riots  in  the  destruction  of 
liberty  and  equality. 

rejected  by  Congress,  provido.l  the  territories  are  nevertlioleps  preser\'e(l 
from  tlio  pollution  of  sluvery.  It  is  liio  siilHtnncn  wo  care  lor,  iind  not  the 
Rhadow.  If  Ocnernt  Taylor  tlinnvs  the  intlnenro  of  his  name  and  station 
in  fiwor  of  the  ndinission  of  the  State  of  ("aliforni.i  with  her  present  Con- 
stitiilion,  and  the  protection  of  New  Mexico  ajrainst  the  efTorts  of  Texas 
to  f  ubject  and  enslave  her,  he  is  practically  on  the  right  sidi\  no  matter 
wl'at  ho  may  feel  constrained  t)  say  in  favor  of  non-intervention,  and 
npuinst  the  Proviso.  We  shall  lliank  him  for  his  deeds,  and  let  those  who 
choose  place  eniphusis  on  his  words." — .\i'w-  Yark  'I'rihitm;  Jan.  •2-2.  1850> 


■^m 


Mil"    H. 


ill 


niSTOKT     OF     THE 


The  Pi'OHulent  of  the  ITnitetl  States,  in  liis  first 
messii:,'t'  to  Congress,  recouunouded  tlie  establish- 
mciit  of  H  territorial  ;,'overuinent  for  the  ])rotectiua 
of  our  citizens  in  Oifgon.  llis  \  iews  were  reitera- 
ted in  still  nio!<'  pointed  lani^iiat^t'  in  his  message  of 
the  .")th  of  August,  184G,  and  in  his  second  and  third 
annual  eoniniunications  to  that  body,  and  on  the 
20th  of  May,  lS-4h,  he  made  it  the  subject  of  a  spe- 
cial messag(^'^  Although  these  recommendations 
had  repeatedly  ]>een  j)ressed  uj)on  the  attention  of 
Congress  l)y  the  Executive,  it  wius  not  until  the  Utli 
of  August,  1848,  that  a  lerritcti'ial  })ill,  containing 
the  Wilniot  Proviso,  piussed  Congress,  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  citizens  of  Oregon.  This  wuh  ow- 
ing, in  j)ai't,  to  the  other  ([uestiun^  of  great  interest 
whicli  occuj)ied  the  attention  of  Congrea*.  hut 
mainly  to  the  question  of  slaveiy,  whi«b  was  con- 
uecte(l  with  all  bills  for  the  establishment  of  terri- 
torial goveranients  during  that  adiuinLsti-ation.     In 


♦  ••  'I'lio  memorial ixtK  ore  citizens  of  tlie  United  States.  Tliey  express 
ardent  iittiuhmont  to  their  native  land,  and  in  their  present  perilous  and 
distrrsseil  situation,  they  carnes'tly  invoke  the  aid  and  protection  of  their 
Ciovcrnnu'nt." 

'■  Thi^  population  of  Orepon  is  holieved  to  exceed  twelve  thousand 
Bonis,  ami  it  is  known  that  it  will  be  iiuTcased  by  a  largo  number  of  erni- 
prants  duriiifr  the  present  season.  The  facts  set  forth  in  the  accompany- 
ing memorial  ond  papers,  show  that  the  danjrers  to  whicn  our  fellow-citi- 
zens are  exposed  arc  so  inuiiinonl,  that  I  deem  it  my  duty  ajfain  to  impress 
on  ('(iii^'ioss  ill,;  strong  claim  whicli  the  inhabitants  of  that  distant  country 
have  u)  the  bonelit  of  our  laws,  and  ilie  protection  of  our  Government." 

■'  I  tlierefore  again  invite  the  attention  of  Congress  to  the  subject,  and 
recommend  that  laws  lie  prompllv  passed  establishing  a  Territorial  Govern- 
ment, and  granting  authority  to  raise  an  adequate  volunteer  force  for  the 
defence  and  protection  of  its  inhabitants." — Message  of  Mr.  Polk  to  Con- 
gress, May  Mth,  1848. 


POLK     ADMINISTRATION. 


4r)9 


his  approval  of  the  Oregon  h\\\,  the  Pi-osidont  as- 
signed liis  rciisons  for  doing  so,  and  laid  down  cer- 
tain principles  for  the  control  of  the  General  (io- 
vernnient  in  future* 

On  the  2.'  of  August,  lH48,  the  Oregon  l)ill 
passed  the  House  of  Repr(^sentatives.  The  Wihuot 
proviso  was  inserted  in  it  l)y  a  vote  of  114  to  88.f 
In  the  Senate  it  was  moved  to  amend  the  hill,  l)y 
assigning  as  a  I'oason  f(jr  ingi-afting  in  it  the  ordi- 
nance of  1787,  the  fact,  that  the  country  lay  north 
of  'M\"  30'.  This  proj)osition  only  received  tw(j 
votes. J  It  was  then  j)roj)osed  to  amend  it  hy  ap- 
plying the  principles  of  the  Missouri  compic^mise 

*  Mcissagc  of  Air.  Polk  to  the  Housi;,  ci'  Reprospntativps,  .August 
14th,  1818.     Coiiirrp.-'sionalCIloIx},  1st  session  30tli  Congress,  p.  1081. 

f  Congrpssioiiul  Glnljf,  1st  ses.-^ipn  'M)lb  Congress,  p.  1027. 

{  "  Mr.  Webster  nddrossf'd  the  Senate.  Ho  lulinitted  the  propriety  of 
the  estiiljlishinent  of  a  Territoriul  Government  in  Oregon,  am!  lie  was 
willing  to  vote  for  this  bill  as  it  came  from  the  House.  If  amended  ua 
now  proposed,  he  would  not  be  able  to  vote  for  it.  Ho  recited  the  words 
of  the  section,  and  said,  the  aini'iui.  lent  proposed  giivo  a  reason  for  the 
application  of  the  principle  of  Jie  ordinance  of  17M7  to  the  Territory  of 
Oregon.  When  a  single  reason  was  given  for  any  act,  it  was  intended  to 
be  inferred  that  there  were  no  other  reasons.  The  Territory  of  Oregon 
was  above  the  line  of  the  Missouri  compromise.  His  objection  to  slavery 
was  irrespective  of  lines  and  points  of  iutilude  :  it  took  in  the  whole  coun- 
try and  the  whole  question.  lie  was  opposed  to  it  in  every  shape  and  in 
every  (|M,ilitication ;  and  was  against  any  compromise  of  the  question." — 
Spi'irh  (if  -Mr.  Wil)slfr,in  the  Sp.natr,  Aiii:;usl  lOlh,  1848. 

''  Mr.  Calhoun  srid  he  should  vote  against  the  amendment,  because  he 
regarded  it  as  'imbigiious,  and  ho  was  again.st  all  ambiguity.  Again,  he 
opposed  it  because  the  Nortli  could  not  be  more  determined  to  exclude  the 
South  than  ho  was  to  resist  su.li  exclusion.  Ho  would  be  as  tinu  in 
maintaining  K-  ground  as  Northern  Senators  wore  in  maintaining  theirs. 
A  mnjority  would  always  be  able  to  carry  their  views  ;  but  here  a  minor- 
ity, aided  by  a  few  of  the  majority,  attempted  to  impose  on  the  South 
restrictions  which  could  not  lie  submitted  to." — Speech  of  Mr.  Cnlhuun 
in  the  Senate,  August  lOlh,  1848. 


460 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


to  the  territories  of  the  United  States,  and  tlJi^  wjw 
agreed  to  by  a  vitte  of  83  to  21*  'J'h«-  l»iJJ  w^if 
r<'turiie(|  to  the  House,  and  this  amendinciit  of  xinn 
Senate  was  rejeeted  l)y  a  vote  of  121  to  ^'2.  'Vii*t 
Senate  then  receded  from  their  aniendnieiit  yiiuuhr^ 
the  Missoun  conjproniise  line  west  to  tiie  I'in-ifk 
Ocean,  by  a  vote  of  29  to  2r>.f  Atteuij)t<s  w*-^^ 
nia«h'  dtn-ing  the  same  session  of  Congress,  to  <-*' 
taldish  t<'ri'itoriul  governments  for  (h^'^<>n,  ?».V» 
Mexico,  and  California,  l)ut  they  all  fjiled  w  JtL  \h^ 
excej)tion  of  the  t  egon  1)ill. 

A  military  Governor  was  appointt^d  for  Calif' jj- 
nia,  witli  the  authority  to  exercise  civil  fuij<-ti^A»^ 
and  he  was  continued  in  office  when  the  mhmmiArar 
tion  of  General  Taylor   came  int(j  powei.J    IV; 

*  "  That  tlie  line  of  thirty-six  degrees  nnd  thirty  minuter  uortli  lui.i' 
tilde,  known  us  the  JHissouri  comproiniHe  line,  as  detiiied  by  llie  »'i)ili')ii 
section  of  an  act  entitled  '  An  net  to  authorize  the  people  of  Missouri  T*w> 
ritory  to  form  a  Constitution  and  State  Government,  and  for  the  iiduiiK»iiMli 
of  such  State  iiito  the  Union  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  orijiiiiul  HikV»)^, 
and  to  prohibit  slavery  in  certaiu  Territories,'  approved  March  tilii.  J>>a^ 
be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  declared  to  extend  to  tbf.  Pacific  (Jcpiw  .  uu<l 
the  said  eitrhlh  section,  together  with  the  compron\ise  t'lerein  cfleriHtl.  it 
hereby  revised  and  declared  to  be  in  full  force  and  binding  ^ ir  tlif  lutiUW 
organization  of  the  Territories  of  the  United  States,  in  the  same  Bmun^ 
and  with  the  same  understanding  with  wl  ich  it  was  origiaaJly  adoplttd*''— • 
Cntuirpssinndl  (ihtltp.  Is/  session  30th  Ciingre!:s,  p.  1062. 

t  Cnn<.'rcssional  G'.obc,  1st  session  30th  Congress,  p.  lO'^i. 

J  "  TliP  immediate  establishment  of  Territorial  Governiiieii<>.  aiKl  tin' 
extension  nf  our  laws  over  these  valuable  possessions,  arc  dneinHd  tv  in? 
not  only  iuiporlant,  but  indispensable  to  preserve  order  and  tli^  <\w  m.- 
ministialion  of  justice  within  their  limits,  to  afford  prnfertioii  'o  i:h<'  -mtv- 
Itants,  and  tn  facilitate  the  development  of  the  vart  resources  i;nd  \  •nilt* 
which  their  nc(pii-iilion  has  added  to  our  ccfuntry. 

"  The  war  with  Mexicn  having  terminated,  the  jtower  of  tin    i  > . .  !■■  i  v 
to  establish  or  continue  tomporarv  civil  Govenim"iitsover  tbes^ 
which  existed   under  the  laws  of  nations,  wliilst  thev  were  '  .      at 


POLK     ADMINJK'J  iBAUUfySf, 


461 


people  of  Nt'w  Mexico  eujoyn(.1  ih*:-  lln^rn^fit  of  their 
iiiunieipal  laws  after  their  auue\«rtiiiMi  ttiv  |ih<^  United 
States,  and  a  military  fojve  w»i*-  *i*nif.  r<>  protect 
them  against  the  Indians. 

During  the  administration  *A'  Mi»;.  B'.lTt  two  new 
States,  Iowa  and  Wisoonsiu,  w*tf*.  *<lliiiwr.f<»il  Into  the 
Union.  The  inhal)itants  <>i'  !.</»,«,,  tt&^onffh  their 
delegates,  framed  a  Constitution,  »l!rti»fti  (Ortw  signed 
on  the  18th  of  May,  1K4<'),  and  a  ia.v  \v**  approved 
on  the  28th  of  Decembej*  of  tli*:-  *5ViIim*  yf^ar,  admit- 
ting her  to  the  sistei'hood  of  htat**..  I«<>^VA  waw  set- 
tled by  a  hardy,  industrious  aud  +iMti»i»pi?i»ing  pop- 
ulation, and  having  the  a<.lvaiita<(5f  <'»f  at  rich  and 
productive  soil,  its  resoui'ces  \vpjviJ'4ij|)ii<|lliy^d'<=-vei()y)ed. 
Many  of  the  citizens  of  Iowa  Metfv  tmvi\  the  slave 
States,  and  made  their  way  thitiUtif  i^ijc  llh«=!  Missis- 
sippi river,  and  located  up(ju  it*  buitik*.. 

Wisconsin  was  admittc^d  on  tAk*-  ;?di  cf  March, 
1847.  Tliis  State  is  inhabited  ],>jiiiMvg»«lly  y>y  north- 
ern men,  but  there  may  be  fouu<i  wvitliin  her  hor- 

conquereH  provinces  in  our  military  occupnti'in  iwi*  iidh^M  By  fhf>ir 
cession  to  the  United  States,  Mexico  liusjto  luuji<if  ou/  (Vvwor  iiver  fliem  ; 
and,  until  Congress  shall  act,  the  inhabitaiilt-  will  >U'  \Vlrtlniif  any  nrg:an- 
iupd  Ciovernment.  Should  they  be  left  in  tlii«^  cutrftrirtrt.  frmftision  and 
anarchy  will  l)o  likely  to  prevail." — Mfusa^t  ifj  90.'  ^^lk  in  Contfrfus. 
Jvhi  nth,  1848. 

It  will  be  observed  that  Mr.  Polk  was  wiliiii|r  *v<«iwvirt«r  the  power 
to  Congrpss  to  (jovern  the  territory  acquired,  m-  vniivn^Mt  ftin  war  ceased. 
Bnt  Congress  did  not,  during  his  udiiiinistintior.  eottdltsli  Ti^rrltorinl  fJo- 
vemment.-i ;  ntid  he  was  forced  therefore  to  uppoiiil  (<^ni«K(l  ftiley  niililiiry 
Governor  of  California,  to  prevent  anarchy  and  IiIuMMIi'H' i»i  flint  territory. 
His  po«-ers  were  enlarged  by  the  succeeding  uduiiiimviHon.  its  \>'ill  he  .^een 
hy  the  message  of  (Jeneral  Taylor,  aud  the  uocvtMVtnytity  (iocuments, 
which  were  tr!in*mitted  to  the  House  of  RepfwuniltUMiw  .rnnimry  Jlst, 
1860. 


JASl'JJH  i.ijniAuvJ 

Oi-aii    MaAcJi  1. 1^3-1  ,| 


■  lavPHP IP   pi 


402 


ninrour   of   the 


(lei-s  very  many  fort-'ifrucrH.  Tlie  ngricultur.al  re- 
Kouicci*  of  WImuhw^ui  an-  I'Vcn  greater  than  those  of 
Iowa,  aii<l  the  etM-rgi^M  of  her  i)(M)j)le  are  making  this 
yomig  roiiitiioiiwealth  (»iie  of  the  most  flourishing 
in  the  Tnioij.  'Hie  j>ro«liictions  of  Ijoth  States  are 
easily  conveyed  away.  'ITie  eastern  l)oun<hiry  of 
Wisconsin  U  W';wIm'«I  hy  tlur  transparent  waters  of 
Lalve  .Mi<'hi;(an,  uhih-  the  western  limits  of  Iowa 
are  hatheU  l*y  the  father  of  livers.  The  surplus 
pi()(luc<'  of  one  finrls  its  egi-ess  along  the  lakes  to 
the  Atlantic;  coa^t,  and  that  of  the  other  floats  down 
the  Missi>ipiippi  to  the  great  southeni  mart.  The 
mind  can  wareely  n-aliz**,  tliat  these  two  prosperous 
8ovcicignti<*  are  funiishing  homes  for  an  industri- 
ous and  happy  jx-ople.  But  a  few  years  have 
elapsed  since  the  af>origines  roamed  undisturbed  by 
the  w  liite  man  throngli  these  western  wilds,  and 
the  sharp  twang  of  the  bow,  tlie  rush  of  the  arrow, 
and  the  piercing  war- whoop,  alone  (listur])ed  their 
solitiifjis,  Citi<«  ha\'e  arisen  in  the  //jidst  (afforests 
with  a  cej<-rity  unequalled,  (except  by  those  which 
have  l»een  created  alm*;st  }»y  t}i(;  hand  of  magic  uj)on 
the  sIkm'cs  of  th«  I'acific,  Within  the  meniory  of 
oui-  ijoniKj  men,  firnt  westeni  New- York,  find  then 
Ohio,  w;is  r"garded  jw  \S\i'.  far  wC'it,  but  now  ouf 
relatione  have  e<»nvert<;d  the  vast  forests  whicli  sur- 
rounded our  Inland  mnn  and  western  rivers  into 
the  peiiceful  and  happy  a}»od(^s  of  civilization. 

On  the  mh  day  (.f  July,  1K4(5,  the  President 
approved  a  bill  retroceding  the  county  and  town 
of  Alexandria  to  the  State  of  Virginia.  This  bill 
re-eonveyi'»l  to  that  Htate  all  the  territory  which 


POLK     ADMINISTHATION. 


4G3 


of 
len 

our 
siir- 
into 

•lent 

own 

l>ill 

liioli 


hiul  Leon  ceded  by  her  to  the  (Jcmeral  Government, 
with  th(^  exception  of  the  ])ul)lie  Imildini^s  heloiig- 
ing  to  the  United  States.  This  measure  encoun- 
tered very  little  serious  opposition  in  either  House 
of  Congress;  and  when  we  take  into  consideration 
the  uselessness  of  the  territory  to  the  (Jeneial  (iov- 
ernment,  and  the  vexed  (piestion  of  slavey,  it  was 
perhaps  a  movement  dictated  by  wisdom  u^ton  the 
part  of  Congress. 

We  might  pause  here  to  consid'i'  tin  advatice 
which  had  been  made  during  the  adn  iui  xration  <jf 
Mr.  Polk,  in  the  develoi)ment  of  the  arts  aud  sci- 
ences, the  state  of  American  literature  and  edut-a- 
tion,  the  increjvse  or  decline  of  nioralit}',  the  pro- 
gress of  religion,  and  the  prevalence  of  fanaticism, 
the  existence  of  energy  and  enteri)rise  among  our 
citizens,  as  well  as  the  ac({uisition  of  that  influence 
and  jtower  as  a  nation,  which  connnands  the  re- 
spect nn<l  clialK  iigcs  the  admiration  of  the  civili;!ed 
worl'l. 

Tlu*re  are  many  circumstances  in  the  histi  )r y  of 
a  p('oj)le  which  are  regarded  of  secondary  im])ort- 
ance,  that  seem,  nevertheless,  to  illustrate  tlu'ir 
career,  and  indicate  the  destiny  which  awaits  them. 
Such  events  signalized  *-ach  year  of  Mi\  Polk's  admin- 
istration, and  a  brief  space  will  now  1)e  devoted  to 
their  analysis. 

In  former  years  labor  was  iierfornicd  ]»y  hand, 
with  the  most  sim})le  agencies.  The  earth  was  ])re- 
jKired  foi'  seed  with  wooden  })loughs,  and  harrows 
with  wooden  teeth.  Produce  Avas  wheeled  to  mar- 
ket along  rough  and  miry  roads,  or  taken  in  Hat- 


^  "jpl 


461 


II  I  S  T  O  U  Y     OF     THE 


boatH  down  our  rivci's,  while  mcrcliavdisf,  in  keel- 
}>()at«<,  wiiH  warpcil  a<^ain.st  tlie  current  t<>  its  place 
of  (Icstiuatiun.*  Yarn  waa  spun  with  hand-wheelH, 
and  clotli  wa-s  nianut'actui'ed  in  hand-looms.  And, 
indeed,  all  the  iinpkinents  of  husl)aii<lry  were  of 
the  roughest  and  most  unwieldy  description.  Time, 
which  is  so  important  with  all,  was  wasted  in  trar 
veiling  Ity  tardy  conveyances,  and  pei*sons  divided 
by  a  i'iiw  hundn.'d  miles,  rarely  met.  Within  the 
last  half  century,  great  and  radical  changes  have 
been  made  in  all  that  relates  to  the  comfoil  and 
happiness  of  man.  The  power  of  steam  has  l)e- 
come  an  important  agent  in  our  operations.  Along 
our  lakes  and  rivei's,  and  even  upon  the  turbulent 
ocean  itself,  steamboats  are  bearing  the  rapidly  ac- 
cumulating conmierce  of  the  United  States,  while 
aci'oss  streams,  over  valleys,  and  through  mountains, 
rushes  the  iron-horse,  and  intelligence  Avith  the 
raj)idity  of  thought  is  transmitted  from  pole  to 
pole.f  New  impi'ovements  are  yearly  being  made 
in  the  engines  which  mt)ve  our  floating  palaces, 
and  in  the  shape  of  the  vessels,  that  they  may  be 
forced  through  the  water  with  greater  ease.  Steam 
])resses,  which  are  substituted  for  the  small  and  ill- 
formed  ones  that  were  moved  by  human  jjower, 


•  But  a  few  years  have  elapsed  since  n  trip  down  tlie  tributaries  of 
the  MisfiisHippi  to  New  Orleaiis  and  JMck  required  nearly  lialf  a  year. 
Merchandise  was  placed  in  keel-boats,  and  with  long  polos  wan  pushed 
up  the  river.  When  the  navigators  arrived  at  a  spot  where  the  current 
was  very  rapid,  it  was  warprd,  which  operation  consisted  in  attaching  a 
rope  to  a  tree  or  rock,  far  up  the  stream,  and  then  winding  it  up. 

t  The  foreign  news  was  lately  sent  from  Halifax  to  New  OrleaM  in 
thirty-six  hours,  a  distance  of  2,800  miles.     January,  1850. 


I'oLK     ADMINISTRATION, 


4(35 


eniiblo  our  ciitcipiisiu;^  jjublislit-rs  to  spread  iiifor- 
iiiiitioii  aiitl  intelligence,  with  <;reater  t'aeility,  het'ore 
tlie  readini^  world.  In  alMlo^st  every  kind  of  nian- 
utucturin<^  the  a^eiiey  of  steam  is  eniployiMl,  The 
coin|)lieated  luachinery  of  ccttton,  carj)et,  and  \vo«»i- 
leu  eori>orations,  the  iron  foundry,  and  the  furnace,* 
tile  steamship  and  the  to\v-l»oat,  the  ilour-mill  and 
the  factory,  all  move  in  ol)edienc(f  to  that  j)o\ver 
which  the  genius  of  Fulton  enabled  him  to  subject 
to  our  control.f 

The  formation  of  our  shijw,  tlie  structure  of  tlie 
macliinery  used  in  manufacturing,  farming  uten- 
sils; in  sliort,  every  article  employed  l)y  man,  has 
been   wonderfully   improved    within   the   hist   few 

*  To  show  tlie  power  wliirli  iirt  enulili'«  iiian  to  employ  in  his  ficrvice, 
it  is  only  iieeoasary  to  recur  to  the  oporiitioris  of  some  of  our  iron  mnsters. 
Stenin  is  employed  lor  the  purpose  of  moviiij;  the  hollows  iiltiiclieil  to  the 
stnck.  This  is  somothiiijr  like  n  shot  tower,  only  not  so  hij^h,  hiiilt  of 
rock,  into  which  is  pnt  iron  ore,  chiircoiil,  iinil  limestone.  The  hcllows  is 
applied  to  ini  aportnre  in  the  lower  part  of  the  stack  for  the  piirpos(-  of 
prodncini;;  heat.  At  lirst  the  boilers  were  placed  npon  tlio  pronnd.  and 
the  steam  was  generated  hy  larijo  qnantilies  of  wood.  Hnt  sobscqncnlly 
the  boilers  were  elevated  npon  the  top  of  the  stack,  and  steam  was  priKluced 
by  the  llame  which  came  ont  of  it.  'I'he  boilers  moved  the  bellows,  and 
that  operated  upon  the  Kro  within  the  stack,  and  the  heat  created  thereby 
generateil  the  steam. 

f  While  Robert  Fnlton  was  employed  in  convincing  an  incredulous 
community  of  the  practicability  of  applyini;  steam  power  to  water  craft, 
ho  asked  countenance  anil  support  from  one  of  the  wealthiest  citizens  of 
New-Vdrk.  who  responded  to  him  that  he  was  then  eiigaged  in  preparing 
for  the  press  a  learned  dissertation  upon  the  inlluence  which  preserved 
Daniel  unliarmod  in  the  lion's  den.  He  was  not  prepared,  therefore,  to 
devote  either  time  or  attention  to  the  "  visionary  scheme  "  which  Fidtoii 
was  endeavoring  to  perfect.  The  work  which  the  millionaire  supposed 
would  startle  the  literary  world,  only  made  its  appearance  to  lind  that 
oblivion  wliich  it  no  doubt  deserved,  and  its  enthnsiiistic  author  sleep-i  with 
ills  fathers,  and  his  name  perisli(>d  ahuost  with  his  existence,  while  Fidton, 
the  despised  and  villiiied,  won  a  deathless  and  iuunortal  reputation. 
30 


N 


V^ 


-s 


^>' 


>' 


iim«i'i"^i*p 


4G6 


II  I  S  Toil  Y     OF     THE 


yearw,  until  nature  iiiul  art  arc  couiluiu'd  in  yielding 
totlie  lords  of  creation  conifoi't  and  hai)j»iu('ss. 

Science  lias  also  made  rapid  strides  within  the 
last  fifty  years  ;  and  at  the  preseut  day,  speculative 
reasoning,',  and  nu'taphysical  dis^iuisitioiis  character- 
ize thought  and  argunientatioii.  Kesearches  upon 
dry  and  altstrusecjuestionsseeni  to  aii'ord  ])articular 
]»leas\ire  to  investigating  intellects,  and  the  fruits 
which  reward  mental  toil,  elevate  to  a  still  higher 
pedestal  that  knowledge  which  the  human  minel 
can  grasp  and  retain. 

American  literature  is  each  year  becoming  more 
and  mor(!  apju'eci.ited  at  home  and  abroad,  until 
our  authors  stand  in  the  front  rank  of  historians, 
poets,  and  novelists.  Education,  the  advance  guard 
of  liberty  and  the  rights  of  man,  has  been  extended 
to  our  youth.  Facilities  are  afforded  to  the  rising 
genei-ation  which  wei't;  unknown  to  our  fathei's,  and 
all  ol)stacles  are  removed  from  the  path  which  leads 
to  the  temi)le  of  knowledge.  This  subject  pi-esents 
itself  in  the  doubh^  aspect  of  a  guarantee  for  the 
stability  of  our  institutions,  and  a  passport  to  that 
happiness  which  mental  culture  cannot  fail  to  be- 
stow. Vcjlumes  could  be  written  upon  the  advan- 
tages to  be  (d)tained  })y  nations,  as  w-ell  as  indivi- 
duals, from  a  general  system  of  education.*  It  (|ua- 
lifies  men  for  the  high  and  enncjbling  destiny  Avhich 
freemen  can  command,  and  rendei's  the  domestic 
circle  peaceful  and  interesting.  Each  step  taken 
by  the  white  man  from  the  Atlanti'j  coast  into  the 

♦  It  was  a  trim  Hayiii!;,  ''"'t  if  "  tho  wnprns  of  thn  schoolmaster  ore  re- 
diiceil,  tlie  pay  of  tlic  recruiting  sergeant  must  be  increased." 


1'  ()  L  K      A  D  M  I  N  I  S  T  K  A  T  10  N . 


407 


Kit 

»e- 
•iin- 
ivi- 
na- 
icli 
!stic 
cell 
tlie 

le  re- 


uiMsof  tin-  West,  lias  liccn  the  pn'i'ursor  ot  •mIucii- 
tioii  iumI  n'tiiicmcnt,  and  the  si-Ik M>l-lnms(;,  the  anul- 
ciiiy,  and  tlic  cnllcc^c,  have  liccii  crt'cted  uimui  the 
coiilhieH  <tf  civiH/Jitioii.  Tliat  oiieit;y  whieli  (-((uld 
Hiiceessfidly  enetdinter  the  solitude  and  perils  of  a 
wilderness,  uas  prepared  to  dissipati*  its  gloom  liy 
mental  impi-ovement  iind  social  intereourse.  To 
New  Kn<.'lund  are  the  other  Stat<'s  indebted  for 
mnch  (»f  that  well-directed  zeal  in  the  cause  of  edu- 
cation which  sii,'nalizes  the  ]»resent  age.  The  ce- 
lelirity  <»f  her  system  of  common  schools  has  found 
fa  Vol'  elsewhere,  and  in  many  instances  has  been 
greatly  improved  upon. 

It  had  been  a  i)revailingo})inion  in  Eur(»i)e,  that 
the  Americans  were  a  nation  of  t/un/crs;  not  over 
Hcrnj)nlous  about  the  moans  of  actpiiring  we.ilth,  and 
conse(|uently,  that  a  high  state  of  morality  could 
not  exist  among  us.  Tlu^  Mexican  war,  by  illustra- 
ting the  chivalrous  gallantry  of  the  citizen  soldier, 
went  far  towards  removing  this  ])reju(lice.  It  was 
ju'oved  that  a  much  higher  degree  of  patriotism 
aninuit(!d  <  u.  [x'ople  than  Europe  ever  exhibited. 
And  where  that  is  a  prominent  attribute  of  national 
chai'acter,  n.  'ralit  r  must  be  found.  I  do  not  mean 
a  thii'st  for  siaugl.ter,  or  a  spirit  which  riots  in  car- 
riag(!  an(i  blood,  as  an  avocation;  but  that  enthu- 
siastic love  of  country  which  induces  an  estimable 
citizen  to  leave  his  kindred  and  his  home,  to  vindi- 
cat(^  the  honor  of  his  native  land,  and  Avhen  that 
end  is  attained,  to  return  to  his  quiet  fireside,  blest 
with  a  luition's  gratitude. 

It  is  a  subject  as  gratifying  to  the  patriot  as  to 


m. 

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468 


HISTORY      OF     THE 


the  Chi'istian,  that  morality  is  wielding  yearly  a 
more  enlarged  and  liberal  influence  ui)on  the  people 
of  this  confederacy.  Religion  is  exercising  its  mild 
and  gentle  sway,  with  less  of  that  bigotry  which 
hitherto  marked  its  progress.  Charity  is  extended 
to  foreigners  with  a  liberal  hand,  while  the  poor 
and  degraded  are  snatched  from  the  haunts  of 
wretchedness  and  vice,  Avhere  crime  has  not  inclosed 
them  too  closely  in  its  folds.  Religious  fimaticism 
does  not  rage  with  the  same  violence  as  formerly, 
and  therefore  possesses  more  of  that  spirit  which 
was  inculcated  by  our  Saviour.  Many  new  sects 
are  springing  up,  but  their  secession  is  not  visited 
•with  that  unforgiving  sjiirit  which  punished  fi-ee- 
dom  of  opinion  in  former  days.  As  they  serve  to 
prevent  a  concentration  of  power  in  one  church, 
which  during  its  early  histoiy  proved  not  only 
quite  inconvenient,  but  oftentimes  dangerous,  they 
are  to  be  encouraged,  rather  than  condemned. 
There  is  a  political  fanaticism,  however,  which  has 
increased  in  violence  within  the  last  few  years,  to 
an  alarming  degree.  The  danger  to  be  a[)j)rehen(led 
from  that  kind  of  zeal,  Avhich  borders  upon  fi-enzy, 
is,  that  its  efforts  are  uncontrolled  by  a  pro])er  re- 
gard for  the  difficulties  it  seeks  to  overcome.  When 
paiision,  instead  of  rea.soii  guides  its  career,  a  due 
respect  is  not  paid  to  the  Constitution  and  the  laws.* 

*  "  All  this  is  just  and  soniid.  But  nssnminor  the  same  pretnisps,  to 
wit,  that  nil  men  arc  equal  by  the  law  of  nations,  the  rii;ht  of  property  in 
slaves  falls  to  the  ground,  for  one  who  is  equal  to  another  cannot  he  the 
owner  or  property  of  that  other.  But  ynu  answer  that  the  Constitution 
recognizes  property  in  slaves.  It  wouM  he  sufficient  then  to  reply,  that 
this  constitutional  recognition  must  be  void,  because  it  is  repugnant  to  the 


POLK     ADJIINISTRATION. 


469 


The  abolition  excitement  is  produced  hy  religious 
zealots  and  unscrupulous  politicians.  The  latter 
make  concessions  to  its  demands,  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  place  and  power.  Its  decrees  are  pro- 
mulgated from  the  pulpit  and  the  hustings,  with  an 
ardor  etjual  to  that  which  prompted  the  crusaders 
to  drive  the  infidel  from  the  Holy  Land.  Where  it 
will  terminate  no  one  can  tell,  unless  all  who  respect 
the  guaranties  of  the  Constitution  arrest  its  progress. 

If  the  zeal  which  Is  now  employed  upon  distant 
objects,  was  directed  with  as  much  fervor  to  the  re- 
lief of  suffering  at  our  doors,  our  motives  would  not 
so  often  be  subject  to  a  just  criticism. 

The  overthrow  of  the  popular  cause  in  Hungary 
and  Italy  hiis,  for  a  pei-iod,  destroyed  the  hopes  of 
republicanism  in  that  portion  of  the  world.  France 
may  stay  the  tide  of  absolutism,  on  the  one  hand, 
and  socialism,  on  the  other;  and,  emerging  from  the 
difficulties  which  assail  her  from  without  and  with- 
in, yet  illustrate  the  principles  of  free  government. 

Upon  the  soil  of  Europe  all  is  uncertainty;  the 
spark  of  liberty  which  still  lingers  may  light  up 
into  a  blaze,  and  8j)read  fi-om  land  to  land,  until 
despotism  and  misrule  shall  nowhere  find  a  spot  to 
exercise  its  ruthless  sway ;  or  it  may  go  out,  leaving 
continental  Euroj)e  surrounded  with  the  darkness 
of  the  middle  ages. 

But  here  no  such  doubt  and  uncertainty  exists. 
That  Constitution  which  wji>;  framed  by  the  wisdom 

Inw  of  nature  iiiifl  'f  niifioni«."  "  But  tliern  i''  it  liiglirr  law  than  the  ("oifti- 
tution  which  regulates  our  anlhority  ovcrthf  (loumiii.nnd  devotos  it  tn  the 
8aiiv>  nohle  purposes." — Speech  of  Mr.  II.  Seii-fini,  IJ.  S.  Senalc,  .March, 
185U. 


I 


March  l.JJK''-* 


Oi'-aii .'  A 


1  list -^    X\\v.  Ji'*  '  1^^'  ' 


41(f 


HISTOKY     OF     THE 


</  lliii')>iw;  w-fir>  ]:)aftf(e(l  through  the  fiery  ordeal  of  the 
lixfivyBiirtiym,  -stands  the  test  of  scrutiny  and  of  time. 
Kr^rty  i»**a.nlt  wliieh  faction  makes  against  it  only 
Jj.ii*'  itJtifT  ('■fTfct  ()f  eliciting  the  venerati(jn  and  regard 
tiUt*ittmM:(\  for  its  provisions  l)y  the  American  \h'()- 
pj«.  And  wherefore  should  it  nt)t  be  so  ?  The  basis 
of  itlii;^  (>>nstitution  is  the  immutable  principles  of 
jut^'i^ifi  mvfl  truth.  It  guaranties  the  largest  lilierty 
t<y  ftlii/<r  ntiXf.Tx  consistent  Avith  a  well-ordered  and 
»<?ll^in<r5^i'jilated  society.  We  choose  our  own  jniblic 
ist^Tatitirii^f  wh<^>  are  accountable  to  us  for  their  actions. 
Ail3  jflw-rances  can  be  redressed  at  the  ball(jt-box. 
Tliii*:'  jyfitratft  citizen,  unawed  by  power,  and  uncon- 
tr<yl!lli<^|l  hy  a  superior,  possesses  all  the  attributes  and 
prh'iilli'rs^i'-H  (>f  a  freeman. 

Wcr  hftve.  a  country  of  vast  and  illimitable  re- 
»Wi'f':*'»f  jx'wsessing  every  variety  of  soil  and  climate 
wjjli^in  ihf;  heart  can  desire;  while  national  justice, 
uamm'^tM  with  pride,  will  enable  us  to  say  that  no 
iMtrndtj  h  >)le>ised  with  inhabitants  so  gallant,  p'-tii- 
<Ami^  <<;fidl<'nrf>rising,  scientific,  and  moral,  as  those 
wiitJiiiiitii  thf^  borders  of  the  American  Union.       v 

lli<;t(<r  thft  husband  is  not  torn  from  the  bosom  of 
hi*  If-^nnniiliy,  reluctantly  to  fight  a  tyrant's  battles ; 
Ijrtiiit  »t  tJjft  call  of  his  country,  when  her  honor  is  a%- 
mUf-^if  hf.  robmteerft  to  redress  her  Avrongs.  Con- 
w^'yii**  <</  possessing  the  power  of  a  slumbering  giant, 
tiiWT^^r  ft*  Wy  manifestation  of  constant  alarm  indicated 
In'  i\u'  ci^xistence  of  large  standing  armies.  On  the 
tif~mifmj^  n.nawed  by  the  formidable  array  presented 
by  iP'.fC'ts^  powers,  our  citizens  })eacefully  ])ursue 
tJiW.'Sr  wrjal  avfxjations,  confident  in  their  ability  to 


POLK     A  D  31 1  N  I  S  T  K  A  T  I  O  X  . 


471 


repel  every  aggression  ui^ou  tlic'ir  riglitf,  and  to  pre- 
serve unsullied  the  national  honor. 

With  all  these  elements  of  <loin<f?<lic  hajipinesg 
and  national  greatness,  where  in  IIk;  cause  for  dis- 
content? If  we  Avere  disposed  i*)  appreciatf;  tlie 
blessings  which  we  enjoy,  instea/1  of  -wrfrking  some 
imagi  lary  evil  as  a  source  of  dift»«ati«Ja<rtion,  it  would 
be  far  more  conducive  to  our  happifKrt^.  We  sliould 
not  for  a  moment  forget  that  wa  ha\<;  th;  uu>^t  per- 
fect form  of  government  ever  devij^^d  J»y  tlie  wit  of 
man.  This  idea  should  daily  be  a  subject,  of  nyoic- 
ing.  We  should  then  }>e  jirc^paied  to  <'ntirnatf;  the 
horrors  of  a  dissolution  of  th<;  1,'nion.  'Hiat  terrible 
event  should  not  for  a  mom<;iit  Iw;  ent<'rtained  ;  and 
the  monster  who  could  have  tli(;  hardilxx^d  to  pro- 
pose an  encroachment  upon  the  Conntituti*>n,  or  riv 
sist  its  requii-ements,  should  be  held  up  to  the  un- 
mitigated scorn  and  contempt  of  every  j,i.:triot  in 
the  land;  and  whoever  attempts  the  trea-on  'hould 
be  made  a  fearful  example  to  all  who  wotil<i  nhun 
the  traitor's  doom. 

"VN^iile  the  mind  dw-lls  upon  tint  eventful  admi- 
nistration of  James  K.  Polk,  the  Mexiean  war  and 
its  consequeneea  at  once  arrest  attention.  'Hk;  re- 
nown of  the  American  arms  has  f^pread  abroad,  un- 
til it  is  heralded  in  every  pait  of  the  earth,  and  re- 
echoed in  each  isle  of  the  ocean,  i^iena  N'i.-^ta  and 
Molino  del  Key,  Vera  Cruz  and  the  (iaritan  of  Mex- 
ico, will  long  be  rememl)ered  l»y  the  <riviji»'d  world. 

The  territory  Avhich  we  c>ljtained  from  Mexico 
will  yield  us  illimital)l(!  ri'souree^.  The  frowning 
barriei"s  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  afford  no  obsta- 


472 


II 1 8  T  O  U  y     OK     T  II  K 


clcH  to  our  enterprising  peoj)]*-,  who  ant  uli'<'jwly 
crowding  into  the  valleys  of  California,  'J'h«!  <;ofn- 
merce  of  the  United  States  now  possi'^wH  t\u'  key 
wliieh  will  unlock  the  treasures  of  tlnf  I'^wt;  und 
that  whi(;li  raised  to  an  extraoi<!inary  pitch  of  gran- 
(hnir  the  cities  of  ancient  times,  \>y  the  iiucouirtA' 
\ii\)\i:  law  of  destiny  is  turned  like;  a  glittifi-iiig  and 
gohhm  tide  into  the  harhors  of  California, 

And  where  is  that  man  who  c<»ntril»ut<"|  iriorft 
than  all  others  towards  producing  th(«e  hriHiant 
results?  His  pulseless  form  is  mingling  with  the 
dust,  ITie  vast  amount  of  lahor  which  he  pi'rforrn- 
ed  while  occupying  tlie  presidential  chair  wm  Uto 
much  for  his  constitution,  and  he  luul  Kcar(;<'ly  r(;a<;h- 
ed  liis  home  in  Tennessee  Avhen  lie  was  attiUfked  l»y 
disea-^e,  which  baffled  the  efforts  of  the  m<mt  Hkijful 
physicians,  and  terminated  his  mortal  i-MVi'MV  on  the 
I'jth  day  of  June,  1849*  Posterity  will  pronounce 
his  eulogiura. 

*  "  Nasiivim.e,  Jum  Uiih,  \HMh 
"  Ypstprdny,  nt  twenty  minntps  l)pforo  five  o'clcjck,  I'.  S\,,  imw*  K. 
I'olk  fx[)irc(l  nt  Ills  rosidpiice  in  tills  city. 

"  Mr.  l'oll{  tmd  suffered  from  dinrrliasn  on  \\\n  way  ii()  ll)«  .Mi««i»ippi 
Rivrr,  Croiii  New  Orlonns,  in  .Miircli,  liiit  llie  uttii(:l«  \m*n»\  lAY,  «iwl  ]m 
rmiclifd  this  city  in  (rood  liealtli.  A  few  days  nfK'r  liji*  Brrivid  \t>i  i/i'iVfol 
info  lii-<  new  iiuinsion,  a  stately  edifice,  wliirli  liiid  jui-t  Uh'U  i'ji\u\iSit\tA 
«ml  furnished  in  a  style  of  combined  elegance  and  t«^t;r>,  Mix  t^*\nU:  \\m 
in  tlie  very  heart  of  the  city,  on  an  eminence  known  h*  litMuS^'n  Mill, 
fr,'ivin(f  \)cvn  the  home  of  tlie  lion.  Felix  (Jrundy,  from  wl«««»  Mrx  .Mr, 
!'oll<  piirrhiised  the  property. 

'•  llavini.'  tiikeii  up  his  abode  here,  tlie  f^x-Pre^ident  \fu\n  hi'^wlf  np 
to  the  iiiiproveiMcnt  of  the  grounds,  and  was  wen  i^vitry  i\ay  nUml  did 
(Iwellinc,  airlitig  and  directing  the  workmen  he  lia<l  i>\u\Aiiyi'A,  ,Vf»w 
merlooking  a  carppiiler,  now  giving  instructions  to  u  ^HtAi'Ufr,  iiUm\ 
dlfen'lcd  hy  Mrs.  I'olk,  whose  e.viuisile  tasle  coni-tilul/'d  llin  i'\i'ittfU\  f(f 
evry  iiuprovemciit.     It  is  not  a  fortnight  cince  tlial  I  uiw  liiiii  "ti  hin 


' A-i'i:H  i.nuiAitY. 


POLK      A  l>  M  I  N  r  H  I  ft  A  TI  O  N  . 


473 


K. 

ho 

>-U!l\ 

Kill, 
Mr, 


lawn  directing  Hoin<!  rni'ii  wlio  wrr  rciijoviTiii;  (l(>rnyiii<r  rcdnrs.  I  was 
■truck  with  hit!  erect  ami  hf^iihhriil  iK-iirifi);.  iirid  tlic  active  riierjry  of  hit) 
manner,  which  pave  protnlxc  o|  loni;  life,  Ilix  flowinj;  !if»y  locks  alone 
made  him  appear  l>eyond  tlu!  middle  aye  of  life.  He  scemi'd  in  full 
health.  The  next  day  JK-ini^  rainy  he  reinaiiii'd  within,  and  U'nun  to 
arranj,'c  his  large  lihrary,  and  the  lalKir  of  renrliinj;  iKioks  from  the  (|o(jr 
and  placing  them  on  the  KluflveN,  hronglit  on  fatigue  and  slight  f(!vor, 
which  the  next  day  aHHumr-d  the  eharaclerof  dineaw  in  the  form  of  clironic 
diarrha;a,  which  waK  with  him  h  cotfipjaint  r»f  fuany  years'  standing,  and 
readily  induced  upf)ii  his  syxt/'m  hy  any  ovf'r-ex('rtir)n. 

"  For  the  first  three  days  hi»  (riend  .  felt  no  alarm.  But  the  di.iense 
baffling  their  skill,  (and  for  skilful  |ihy<<ir.iHnH,  Nashville  will  compare 
with  the  first  cities  in  the  Union,)  Dr.  May,  his  hrother-in-law  and  family 
physician  for  twenty  years,  was  w;n(  for  (run  ('(dnrnbia.  But  the  skill 
and  experience  of  this  gentleman,  aided  hy  Ihr!  higlirst  medical  fiilent, 
proved  of  no  avail.  Jlr.  I'olk  cotitiniicd  gradually  to  sink  from  day  to 
day.  The  disease  was  checked  ii|t/in  him  four  days  Ix^fore  his  death,  but 
his  cimstitiilion  was  so  weakened  that  therr;  did  tiot  remain  recu|H!rafive 
energy  enough  in  the  syslx-m  for  healthy  re-«iction.  He  sunk  away  so 
slowly  and  insensibly,  that  it  was  eight  hours  iK'fore  he  died,  after  the 
heavy  death  rcspirotions  r^iminenced,  lie  died  without  a  struggle,  simply 
ceasing  to  breathe,  oh  when  deep  himI  (|iiirft  sleep  falls  up<}n  a  weary 
man. 

"  About  half  an  hour  preceding  lii*  death,  his  venerable  mother,  en- 
tered the  room,  and  kneeling  by  hin  Is-diidc,  ofT'Ted  up  a  beautiful  prayer 
to  the  "  King  of  kings,  and  l/iril  of  lords,"  committing  the  sonl  of  her  son 
to  his  holy  keeping.  The  scetio  wan  strikingly  impressive.  Major  Polk, 
th6  President's  brother,  woh  alwu  hy  hin  Iwdsidc,  with  other  members  of 
the  family, 

"  Upon  the  coffin  wan  a  plain  (diver  plate,  with  these  words  :— 

"J.  K.  l'r)LK, 

"B«HK    NoVK.MIiKK,    1796, 

"UiKiJ  Jr;.iK  10,  18»». 

"  The  body  lies  in  slnfe  t/wlay.  The  noble  drawing-rooms  are  shrouded 
in  black,  and  every  window  in  morning  with  black  scarfs  of  crape.  Tiie 
tall  white  columns  of  the  majo-lic  (Kirlico  faring  the  south,  are  completely 
shrouded  in  black,  giving  a  solemtily  tiiajestic  and  funeral  aspect  to  the 
Presidential  mansion. 

"The  funeral  took  place  at  four  o'clock  tliis  afternoon,  masonic  cere- 
monies l)eing  first  perforui'-il  in  the  drawiiez-rooiri  over  the  Ixxly.  I  saw 
the  body  befi  re  it  was  encoirnu'd.     The  frutiires  are  in  noble  composure. 


474 


lIISTOItY     OF     TIIK 


I)<rath  Unit  improsHcd  upon  them  the  seal  of  majcBty.  In  bU  life  )*»  Unr 
ttircpi  urvi:r  wnre  timt  iinprcsB  of  command  ami  itilelk'ctuiJ  kirfttfgUt  liM 
iM'<-irii-(l  now  chiselled  upon  their  marble  outline.  Up  wan  SmMmA  Ut  A 
(iliiiri  xuit  of  l)l(irk,  and  a  copy  of  tlie  Constitution  of  tl»«  \',iiii*4  ¥ititim 
w/m  plar.rd  at  hi>i  feet.  Before  being  taken  to  tiie  cemetery,  iW  UAf  mm 
Iwrrnu'ticnlly  noldcred  within  a  copper  cotBn. 

"  Froffi  tlie  house  the  funeral  cortege,  which  wan  very  Urjf<^,  «J|  ^^,^^*'M^ 
11^  \m*\WM  Ix'iiig  closed  by  order  of  our  goal  whig  iiwyof;  \)r>i>A!*-iUA  Ui 
iUi-  Methodist  Kpiscopal  Church,  where,  after  »ervia?i!  yt'ri<>fii)i'4  i/j  tim 
K'rv,  Mr.  .MrFerrori,  it  waH  conveyed  to  the  cemetery,  fo)l«w«<l  i/y  «  »««( 
ConcoiiriM!  of  citizens.  The  body  was  deposited  in  tlie  liruii4y  tKtt\), 
UT(i(K>riirily ;  iiut  it  will  soon  be  removed  Ui  a  vault  en  U«;  l»w«  >4  itm 
Kx-I'r<'^id('nlia!  mansion,  where  a  willow  now  t-tand^,  and  over  it  *>>>(  ^^ 
Mi-rXiu]  n  Htately  marble  mausoleum  :  thus  the  body  of  tlje  I'rt^ititftii  Utm 
'i'tumimnea  will  lie  entombed  in  tlie  heart  of  its  capital.  Mr.  t''/tk,  \ty 
will,  the  evening  lieforo  his  death,  gave  the  lawn  U)  tlie  Ktat*,  U4  y^f^ 
tiiity,  for  tll!/t  purpose. 

"  .Mr.  I'()lk  sent  for  the  Rev.  Dr.  Edgar,  of  the  I'rei>ltyt<»ri«i  rj^mfrkf 
m:\f\\  dayx  Ujforc  his  death,  desiring  to  be  baptized  by  liiui.  \\f.  <««4  %tt 
hirn  impressively : — 

"  '  Hir,  if  I.  had  suspected  twenty  years  ago  tliat  I  sliould  fjinm  *»  itty 
d/rath-lx'd  un/rrrparrd,  it  would  have  made  me  a  wretchfid  iinu ;  yMt  (  utn 
aU;ut  V)  die,  and  have  not  made  preparation.  I  liave  inA  even  ijntfu  \m^ 
iv/M,  Tell  me,  sir,  can  there  be  any  ground  for  a  iruui  tliuit  it4im)M  l/t 
ivifif  r 

"  The  Rev.  Doctor  made  known  to  him  the  asi^urancet!  iui4  yr'Amntn 
of  the  Kr»«pcl  that  mercifully  run  parallel  with  man's  life. 

'•  ,Mr.  I'olk  tlien  remarked  that  he  had  been  prevented  fum  ♦*j/ii'ft» 
In  itifanfy  liy  some  accidental  occurrence,  that  he  had  lie<?n  M^ef»J  t'444m 
strongly  inclincil  to  be  Imptizcd  during  his  administration,  l/ut  >iM4  (W 
cnrcd  and  (x;rpl'xities  of  public  life  hardly  gave  him  time  lor  tJie  v/kum 
pri'iuir'ilion  r.  fjuiHito,  and  so  procmstination  had  rijKMied  Uit/i  Ui>i*f¥itt, 
wh'-n  it  was  now  almost  too  late  to  act.  In  his  c<MiverKiJi<;ii  '/^tU  tim 
Mi-v.  clergyman,  Mr.  I'olk  evinced  great  knowledge  of  tiii'  Htnf/ittfK^, 
which,  he  said,  ho  had  read  a  great  deal,  and  deeply  revere;M;ed  »*  4;yi>m 
truth  ;  in  a  word,  he  was  theoretically  a  Christian, 

"  The  conversation  fatiguing  Mr.  Polk  too  much  for  him  U>  \m  *it^ 
\m\ilrM->\,  it  was  pfwtponod,  to  take  place  the  next  evening ;  but  in  tiif  utr 
t/rrvfil  the  fix-I'residont  recollected  that  when  he  was  (joveriK/r,  miA  U'lM 
\u't'',  he  n.icd  to  hold  many  arguments  with  the  Ri'v,  Mr,  JArVfrf^*,  tim 
(;il'fit<'d  and  pf)piilar  Methodist  minister  of  the  pla<«,  his  w»rin  ^/tf^^/mi 
mi<\  (xrlitical  friend,  and  that  ho  had  promised  him  that  wlif^n  lie  4A  Htf 
bf(i<;e  (,'liristianity,  that  lie,  the  Rev.  Mr.  .Mcl'Vrren,  leliotild  liit^x^  'tMH^ 


POLK     AOMINIHTItATlON. 


475 


He,  therefore,  sent  for  the  Rev,  Dr.  Kdjfar,  made  known  this  obligntinn, 
and  expressed  his  intention  to  lie  kiptiz'.'d  hy  \iU  friend  the  Mctiiodist 
minister.  The  sumeduy  the  venerahle  .Mm,  I'olk,  mother  of  the  Ex-I're- 
eident,  a  very  pious  Presbyterian  lady,  arrivwj  frofn  Fior  rcfidence,  forty 
miles  distant,  accompanied  hy  her  own  [wxt/ir,  hoping  that  her  distin- 
guished son  would  consent  to  be  baf;ti/.e(J  by  him. 

"'Mother,'  said  the  dying  Kx-l*resident,  taking  her  affectionately  by 
the  hand,  '  I  have  never  iii  my  life  disolicynd  yoii,  but  you  must  yield  to 
your  son  now,  and  gratify  my  wishcH.  I  must  Ixs  l;aptized  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  McFerren.' 

"  Ilis  n'other,  wise  as  she  is  pious,  did  not  hcffit;ite  to  give  her  consent; 
and  in  the  presence  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kdjjar,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mark,  of 
Columbia,  the  Ex-President  received  the  rite  of  Inptism  at  the  hands  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  McFerren. 

"  Mr.  Polk  has  died  worth  about  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  the 
bulk  of  which  is  settled  upon  his  amiable  lady  ;  who,  it  is  to  be  Imped, 
will  long  make  this  city  her  abode — an  ornament  U>  its  society,  for  '  all 
lips  do  praise  her.' 

"  P.  S. — I  have  sent  you  a  rude,  but  accurate  sketch  of  the  mansion 
of  the  Ex-President,  as  draped  with  moiiminj;  on  the  day  of  the  funeral. 
The  window  blinds  are  tied  with  black  cra(K-,  in,  however,  handsomer 
bows  than  my  pen  has  tic\ueved."—C''jrTi!ijHjiuknee  of  Ihe  Neiv-York 
Herald. 


>        ^ 


^ 


APPENDIX. 


GENERAL  SCOTT  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 

Mexico,  F?An//iry  24,  1848. 
feiR:  On  the  18th  instant,  I  received  your  two  letters,  of  the   13th 
n  t.mo,  and  immediately  issued  the  ^neral  order,  No.  59,  (a  ropy  in- 
closed,)  devolving  the  command  of  the  army  in  Mexico  upon  Major  Ge- 
neral  Butler. 

As  the  officers  detailed  for  the  court  of  inquirv  before  which  I  am  or- 
dered  to  appear  as  a  criminal,  are  not  known  to  hiive  arrived  in  the  coun- 
try, I  avail  myself  of  a  moment's  leisure  to  recall  *f«ie  of  the  ne-rlnrts 
disappointments,  injuries  and  rebukes,  which  luive  U.-n  inflicte.1  upon  me 
by  the  War  Department,  since  my  departure  from  Washington,  November 
23,  1846. 

To  me,  the  business  of  recrimination,  however  provoked,  has  ever 
been  painful.  In  this  summary  I  shall,  therefore,  indnlce  in  no  wanton- 
ness  of  languajre,  but  confine  myself  to  naked  hi),U,rical  facts,  leavin-r  con- 
clusions to  men  of  sense  and  candor. 

In  the  h.irry  of  preparation  for  Mexico,  (onlv  four  davs  were  allowed 
me  at  W  a.^hington— when  twenty  mig^ht  have  k-en  mr«t'advanta.rpo.isly 
employrd  in  f  3  great  bureaiix-those  of  the  chief  engineer's,  chief  of 
ordnance,  chiei  quartermaster's  and  chief  cornmis«,rv  of  snh-i-tence  >  I 
handed  to  you  a  written  request  that  one  of  three  of  our  accomplished 
captains,  therein  mentioned,  might  be  appointed  aKFii<f;,nt  adjutant  general 
with  the  rank  of  major,  for  duty  with  me  in  the  fi-ld.  and  there  iras  a  va- 
cancy, at  the  time,  for  one.  My  request  ha*  never  been  attended  to,  and 
thus  I  have  had  no  officer  of  the  adjutant  general'i.  department  with  me  in 
the  campaign.  Can  another  instance  be  cited  of  denvjnf  '  -  <reneral-in- 
chief,  in  the  field,  at  the  head  of  a  large  am.v.  or  even  a  nnail  one  the 
selection  of  his  chief  of  the  staff-that  is,  the  chief  in  the  department  of 
orders  and  correspondence  ? 

Early  in  the  following  January,  I  asked  that  a  general  court-martial 


r 


mi  wm  II II  m\ 


478 


APPENDIX. 


might  Iw  appointed  on  iho  part  of  the  President,  for  the  trial  of  two  offi- 
ctTH  (named  tiy  me),  for  conduct  each  had  committed,  that  cnihinifcrcd,  in 
u  iiifjh  degree,  the  Hucce.s.s  of  mipcnding  campaign  ;  and  I  specially  re- 
ferred totlio  anomalouH  ami  fatal  act  of  Congress,  (.May  ao,  IHUO,)  which 
prohibited  me,  as  the  "  accuser  or  nroacciitor,"  from  ordering  the  cmirt  for 
the  trial  of  the  cases.  My  application  has  never  l)cen  noticed.  'I'his  neg- 
l<;ct  alone  ought  early  to  have  admonished  me  that  1  had  no  hope  of  sup- 
port at  VVushington,  in  any  attempt  I  might  make  (against  cerlitin  otli- 
cerr.)  to  maintain  necessary  discipline  in  the  army  I  was  about  to  lead  into 
the  fleld. 

I  lelt  Wasliington  highly  flattered  with  the  confidence  and  kindness 
the  President  had  just  shown  me,  in  ninny  long  personal  interviews  on 
military  matters.  For  more  than  two  months  my  expressions  of  gratitude 
wore  daily  and  fervent,  nor  were  they  much  less  emphatic  towards  the 
head  of  the  War  Department.  Proceeding  with  zeal  and  confidence  in 
my  most  hazardous  duties,  I  learned,  January  27,  at  the  Brazos  San  Jago, 
that  an  attempt  was  on  foot  to  create  a  lieutenant  general  to  take  <;ommand 
in  the  field  over  me.  Shocked  and  distressed,  I  allowed  of  no  relaxation 
in  my  efforts  to  serve  my  country,  resolved  that,  for  the  short  time  I  was 
likely  to  remain  in  commission,  to  be 

"  True  as  the  dial  to  ttie  sun. 
Although  it  be  not  thined  upon.' 

A  yet  greater  outrage  soon  followed  :  failing  to  obtain  an  act  for  the 
citizfu  lieutenant  general,  a  bill  was  pressed  upon  Congress  to  authorize 
the  placing  a /j/nior  major  general,  just  appointed,  (the  same  individual,) 
in  command  over  all  the  old  major  generals  then  in  front  of  the  enemy  ! 

I  will  not  here  trust  myself  to  add  a  soldier's  comment  upon  those  at- 
tempts, but  I  may  thnnk  God  that  He  did  not  allow  them,  or  subsequent 
injuries,  to  break  down,  entirely,  the  spirit  and  abilities  (such  as  they  are) 
with  which  He  has  endowed  me. 

Foreseeing  at  Washington  that,  from  the  great  demands  of  commerce 
at  the  moment,  it  would  l)e  difficnlt,  if  not  impossible,  to  take  up,  perhaps 
at  any  price,  a  sufficient  number  of  vessels  at  New-Orleans  and  Mobile  to 
transport  the  regiments  of  my  expedition  from  the  Rio  Grande  frontier  to 
Vera  Cruz,  I  endeavored  to  impress  upon  the  War  Department  the  neces- 
sity of  sending  out  from  the  northern  and  eastern  ports  a  certain  number 
of  large  ships  in  ballast,  in  order  that  the  expedition  might  not  be  delayed, 
and  in  view  of  "  the  fixed  fact,"  the  return  of  the  vumito,  at  Vera  Cruz  in 
the  spring  of  the  year,  a  delay  of  a  few  weeks  was  likely  to  prove  a  total 
defeat. 

In  a  paper  transmitted  to  me,  headed  "  Memorand  rv  '>••  the  Quarter- 


master General,"  marked  "  War  Department,  Decei:; 


1846,"  anJ 


APPENDIX. 


479 


ttrter- 
anJ 


mnnoA  by  the  secretory,  wliicli  I  received  Jiinuary  8,  it  is  ^  liJ  ;  "  Imlcpeiid- 
eiitly  of  tills  iiimii)or  of  truiisportH  for  troops  nnd  i-ri'miice  i^toren,  [from 
tlic  north]  t)icrc  will  bo  rfc|nircd,  xny,  five  MliipH  fir  the  tmiisportatioii  of 
tiic  [miri  J  IxMitH  now  beinj;  prepared,  l)CHiden  \vhi''.h,  ten  vusseU  inn.it  bo 
tiikiM\  np  and  sent  out  in  biilla.st,  [for  troops.]  unless  ntorei  en?'  be  put  on 
Ixjurd,  to  make  up  the  iininber  (4<i)  required  by  the  comin.Tiiuini;  general." 

TliL'  date  of  this  memoriindum  in  December  15.  more  than  tiireo  weeks 
after  my  reipiisilion  and  departure  from  Washin^jton.  Of  not  one  of  the 
"  ten  vessels,"  in  Uillast,  or  with  stores,  (leaving  room  for  traops,)  liave  I 
heard  np  to  this  day.  Relying  upon  them,  conlidently,  the  embarkation 
was  delayed  in  whole  or  in  |)iirt,attho  Urazos  and  Tampico,  from  the  15th 
of  January  to  the  9th  of  March,  leaving,  it  was  feared,  not  half  the  time 
needed  for  the  reduction  of  Vera  Cruz  and  its  castle  before  the  return  of 
the  yellow  fever.  Hut  half  the  surf  boats  came  at  all,  and  of  the  siege 
train  and  ordnance  stores,  only  about  one-half  had  arrived  when  the  .Mexi- 
can  flags  were  replaced  by  those  of  the  United  States  on  those  formidable 
places.  We  succeeded  at  last  in  reaching  the  point  of  attack,  in  the  midst 
of  frightful  vorlhtrs,  by  means,  in  groat  part  of  trading  crr.ft,  small  and 
hazardous,  picked  up  accidentally  at  the  Brazos  and  Tamjiico,  and  when 
th(!  army  got  asiio,",  its  science  and  valor  had  to  supply  nil  deficiencies  in 
heavy  ijuns,  mortars,  nnd  ordnance  stores. 

The  first  letter  that  1  received  from  the  department,  after  entering  the 
captured  city,  contained  an  elaborate  rebuke,  (dated  February  22,)  for  hav- 
ing ordered  Colonel  Harney,  2d  dragoons,  to  remain  in  the  command  of  the 
cavalry  with  Major  (Jeneral  Taylor,  so  as  to  leave  Major  Sumner,  of  the 
same  regiment,  the  senior  of  that  arm,  in  my  expedition.  There  wns  no 
great  difference  in  the  nmnbcr  of  cavalry  companies  with  the  armies. 

This  rebuke  was  written  with  n  complacency  that  argued  the  highest 
professional  experience  in  stich  matters,  and  could  not  have  been  more  con- 
fident in  its  tone  if  dictuted  to  the  greenest  general  of  the  recent  appoint- 
ments. Yet,  without  the  (wwer  of  selecting  commanders  of  particular 
corps,  no  genend-in-chicf  would  venture  to  take  upon  himself  the  con- 
duct of  a  critical  campaign.  Such  selections  were  always  made  by  the 
father  of  his  country,  and  the  principal  g'nerals  under  him.  So  in  the 
campaitrn  of  1814, 1  myself  sent  away,a;,'ainst  their  wishes,  three  senior 
field  oflicers,  of  as  many  regiments,  wIk  were  infirm,  uninstnirti-d.  and 
ineflicient,  in  favor  of  three  juniors,  and  with  the  subsequent  appmbntion 
of  .Major  General  Brown,  on  his  joining  i  le,  and  the  head  of  the  War  De- 
partment. Both  were  well  acquainted  wi  !i  the  customs  of  war,  in  like 
cases,  at  home  and  abroad ;  and  without  that  energy  on  my  part,  it  is 
highly  probable  that  no  American  citizen  would  ever  have  cited  the  battles 
of  the  Niagara  without  a  sigh  for  his  country.  I  nm  happy,  hnuever, 
tliat  before  a  word  had  been  received  from  the  department,  ami  indeed  be- 


,1  AS  Pi:  11   J.IlJUAliV, 
Orijiin}  Maii:h  1*1H54, 

I  it  s  t  '^  A|>i%  3B¥^ 


480 


APPENDIX. 


fore  it  could  have  had  any  knowledge  of  the  question,  I  had  decided  to 
take  witii  me  the  frcnk  and  gallant  colonel,  and  hope  soon  to  learn  that  he 
and  very  many  other  officers  have  been  rewarded  with  brevets  for  their 
highly  distinguished  services  in  the  campaign  that  followed. 

It  was  in  reference  to  the  same  rebuke  that,  in  acknowledging  yonr 
communication,  I  said,  from  Vera  Cruz,  April  5,  "  I  might  very  well  con- 
trovert the  military  principles  so  confidently  laid  down  by  the  department, 
[in  the  letter  of  the  22d  February.]  but  believing  that  the  practice  of  the 
United  States  army,  in  the->two  wars  with  Great  Britain,  would  have  no 
weight  in //le  particular  case,  I  waive  further  reply;  having,  at  the  mo- 
ment, no  leisure  and  no  inclination  for  controversy." 

Alluding  to  the  heavy  disappointments,  in  re.spect  to  transports,  siege 
train,  and  ordnance  stores,  then  already  experienced,  I  wrote  to  the  de- 
partment from  Lobos,  February  28 :  'f  Perhaps  no  expedition  was  ever  so 
unaccountably  delayed — by  no  want  of  foresight,  arrangement,  or  energy 
on  my  |)art,  as  I  dare  affirm — and  under  circumstances  the  most  critical  to 
this  entire  army  ;  for  everybody  relied  upon  and  knew,  from  the  first,  as 
well  as  I  knew,  it  would  be  fatal  to  us  Miattempt  military  operations  on 
this  coast  after,  probably,  the  first  week  in'  April ;  and  here  we  are  at  the 
end  of  February.  Neverth«b^|his  army  is  in  heart ;  and  crippled  as  I 
am  in  the  means  retniired  anj^ptomised,  I  shall  go  forward,  and  expect  to 
take  Vera  Cruz  and  its  castfe  in  time  to  escape,  by  pursuing  the  enemy, 
the  pestilence  of  the  coast." 

The  city  and  castle  were  captured  March  29,  and,  witli  about  one- 
fourth  of  the  necessary  means  for  a  road  train,  (no  fault  of  mine.)  the  re- 
treril,  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  was  vigorously  commenced  April  8.  The 
battle  of  Cerro  Gordo  soon  followed,  and  we  occupied  Jalapa  and  Perote, 
where  we  were  obliged  to  wait  for  supplies  from  Vera  Cruz.  In  those 
positions  I  was  made  to  writhe  under  another  cruel  disappointment. 

In  my  four  memorials,  to  the  department,  on  the  further  prosecution  of 
the  war  against  Mexico,  written  at  VVushinfrton,  and  dated,  respectively, 
Octoher  27,  November  12,  l(i,  and  21,  (it  was  only  intimated  to  mo  in  the 
night  of  November  18,  thill  I  might  prepare  myself  for  the  field,)  papers 
in  which  I  demonstrated  that  Vera  Cruz  was  the  true  base  of  operntinns, 
and  that  the  enemy's  capital  could  not,  probably,  be  reached  from  the  Rio 
Grande,  I  estimated  that  after  taking  that  great  seaport,  "  ahmil  20,000 
men,"  or  "  an  army  of  more  than  20,000  men  may  be  needed  ;  1 .  To  beat, 
in  the  field  and  in  passes,  any  accumulated  force  in  the  way  ;  2.  Tn  gar- 
rison many  important  points  in  the  rear,  to  secure  a  free  communication 
with  Veni  Crnz  ;  and  3.  To  make  distant  detiichments,  in  order  to  gather 
in,  witliout  long  halts,  necessary  subsistence."  And  that  force,  I  su.- 
posed.  iiicluiling  volunteers,  and  aided  by  land  and  money  bonntii'.*,  iiiiirht 
bo  raised  in  time  by  adding  ten  or  twelve  new  regiments  of  regulars,  and 
filling  up  the  ranks  of  the  old. 


•* 


APPENDIX. 


481 


I  of 

vply, 

the 

iipprs 

Rio 

),000 
beat, 
Srar- 
•atinn 
iithcr 

iiijrht 
and 


A  bill  was  introduced  for  raising  ten  additional  regular  regiments,  and 
I  certainly  do  not  mean  to  charge  the  department  with  the  whole  delay  in 
passing  the  bill  through  Congress.  But  it  was  passed,  February  11,1847, 
and  under  it,  by  early  in  April,  some  few  thousand  men  had  been  already 
raised  and  organized.  My  distress  may  he  conceived,  by  any  soldier,  on 
learning  at  Jalapa,  April  27th,  that  the  whole  of  that  force  had  been  sent, 
under  Brigadier  Cadwaladevr  to  the  Rio  Grande  frontier. 

In  my  letter  to  the  department,  written  the  day  after,  I  said,  I  had  ex- 
pected that  "  detachiiients  of  the  new  regiments,  would,  as  you  had  pro- 
mised me,  begin  to  arrive  in  this  month,  and  continue  to  follow  perhaps  in 
June."  "  How  many  (volunteers)  will  re-engage  under  the  act  approved 
March  3,  (only  received  two  days  ago,)  I  know  not ;  probably  but  few. 
Hence,  the  greater  my  disappointment  c:  used  by  sending  the  new  troops 
to  the  Rio  Grande ;  for, '  jsides  their  keeping  the  road  in  our  present  rear 
open  for  many  weeks,  by  marches  in  successive  detachments,  I  had  in- 
tended, as  I  advanced,  to  leave  strong  garrisons  in  this  place,  [Jalapa,]  in 
Perote,  and  Puebia,  and  to  keep  at  the  head  of  th"  movement,  a  force  equal 
to  any  probable  opposition.  It  may  now  depend  on  the  number  of  the  old 
volunteers  who  may  re-engage,  and  the  number  of  new  troops  that  may 
arrive  from  the  Brazos  in  time  ;  as  also,  in  some  degree,  upon  the  advance 
of  Major  General  Taylor,  whether  I  shall  find  this  army  in  strength  to 
leave  the  garrisons  and  to  occupy  the  capital." 

I  may  add,  that  only  about  fifty  individuals  of  the  old  volunteers  re- 
BHgjiged  under  the  provision  of  the  act  of  March  3  ;  that  the  remainder 
war&Jkchargeil  May  4  ;  that  Major  General  Taylor  made  no  movement  in 
advtiace  <ttfa|galtillo,  and  that  the  ne  .gulafs,  including  Cadwalader's 
brigade,  o^Mgan  to  come  up  with  me,  at  Puebia,  in  July,  but  not  in  suf- 
ficient numbers  till  August  6.  The  next  day  the  army  commenced  its 
advance  upon  the  capital  with  a  little  more  than  10,000  effective  men. 

It  is  not  extravagant  to  say  that,  if  Brigadier  General  Cadwalader's 
forces  had  not  been  diverted  from  me,  to  the  Rio  Grande,  where  he  was 
made  to  lose,  without  any  benefit  to  Major  General  Taylor,  much  precious 
time,  I  might  easily  have  taken  this  city  in  the  month  of  June,  and  at 
one-fifth  of  the  loss  sustained  in  August  and  September.  The  enemy 
availed  himself  of  my  forced  delay,  at  Puebia,  to  collect,  to  treble,  to  orga- 
nize and  discipline  his  forces,  as  also  to  erect  numerous  and  powerful  de- 
fences with  batteries.  Neariy  all  those  extraordinary  preparations,  for 
our  reception,  were  made  after  the  middle  of  June.  And  it  is  known  that 
the  news  of  the  victory  of  Buena  Vista  reached  Washington  in  time  to 
countermand  Cadwalader's  orders  for  the  Rio  Grande,  before  his  departure 
from  New-OriealtB.  Two  rifle  companies  with  hiqi  received  the  counter- 
mand there  and  joined  me  early. 

I  know  that  I  had  the  misfortime  to  give  offence  to  the  department  by 
31  . 


>^ 


I 


•^WWWMIB^ 


482 


APPENDIX. 


expressing  myself  to  the  same  effect,  from  Jalapa,  May  6.  In  a  report  of 
that  date,  I  said  : 

"  The  subject  of  that  order  (No.  135 — old  volunteers)  has  given  me 
long  and  deep  solicitude.  To  part  with  so  large  and  so  respectable  a  por- 
tion of  this  army  in  the  middle  of  a  country  wiiicli,  though  broken  in  its 
power,  is  not  yet  disposed  to  sue  for  peace  ;  to  provide  for  tlie  return  home 
of  seven  regiments,  from  this  interior  position,  at  a  time  when  I  find  it 
quite  dilHcult  to  provide  transportation  and  supplies  for  the  operating  forces 
which  remain  ;  and  all  tiiis  without  any  prospect  of  succor  or  reinforce- 
ment in,  perhaps,  the  ne.\t  seven  months- -beyond  some  300  army  recruits 
— present  novelties  utterly  unknown  to  any  invading  army  before.  With 
the  addition  of  ten  or  twelve  thousand  new  levies  in  April  and  May — 
asked  for,  and,  until  very  recently,  expected — or  even  with  the  addition  of 
two  or  three  thousand  new  troops,  destined  for  this  army,  but  suddenly,  by 
the  orders  of  tho  War  Department,  diverted  to  the  Rio  Grande  frontier,  I 
might,  notwithstanding  the  ui  ^voidable  discharge  of  the  old  volunteers — 
seven  regiments  and  two  ind.  «!ndent  companies — advance  with  confi- 
dence upon  the  enemy's  capiu  '  I  shall,  nevertheless,  advance;  but 
whether  beyond  Puebla,  will  depc'.  on  intervening  information  and  reflec- 
tion. The  general  panic  given  to  enemy  at  Cerro  Gordo  oiill  remain- 
ing, I  think  it  probable  that  we  shall  ^  >  to  Mexico,  or,  if  the  enemy  reco- 
ver from  that,  we  must  renew  the  consternation  by  another  blow." 

Thus,  like  Cortez,  finding  myself  isolated  and  abandoned,  and  again 
like  liim,  always  afraid  that  the  next  ship  or  messenger  might  recall  or 
farther  cripple  me,  I  resolved  no  longer  to  depend  on  Vera  Cruz  or  home, 
but  to  render  my  little  army  "  a  self-susiaining  machine" — as  I  informed 
every  body,  including  the  head  of  the  War  Department — and  advance  to 
Puebla. 

It  was  in  reference  to  the  foregoing  serious  causes  of  complaint,  and 
others  to  be  found  in  my  reports  at  large — particularly  in  respect  to  money 
for  the  disbursing  staff  officers,  clothing,  and  Mr.  Trist,  commissioner — 
that  I  concluded  my  report  from  Puebla,  June  4,  in  these  words  : 

"  Considering  the  many  cruel  disappoiinments  and  mortification  I  have 
been  made  to  feel  since  I  left  Washington,  and  the  total  want  of  support 
or  sympathy  on  the  part  of  (he  War  Department,  which  I  have  so  long 
experienced,  I  beg  to  be  recalled  from  this  army  the  moment  it  may  be 
safe  for  any  person  to  embark  at  Vera  Cruz ;  which,  I  suppose,  will  be 
early  in  November.  Probably  all  field  operations  will  be  over  long  before 
that  time." 

But  my  next  report  (July  25th)  from  Puebla  hu,  no  doubt,  in  the 
end,  been  deemed  more  unpardonable  by  the  department.  In  that  paper, 
after  speaking  of  the  "  happy  change  in  my  relations,  both  official  and  pri- 
vate, with  Mr,  Trist  "  I  continued  : 


(CaJ 
StatJ 

mo\ 

The 
and 


APPENDIX. 


483 


I  have 

30  long 

Imay  be 

Iwill  be 

before 

,  in  the 

:  paper, 

I  and  pri- 


"  Since  about  the  26th  ultimo  [June],  our  intercourse  has  been  fre- 
quent and  cordial,  and  I  found  him  [Mr.  T.]  able,  discreet,  courteous,  and 
amiable.  At  home  it  so  chanced  that  we  had  had  but  the  sliglitest  possible 
acquaintance  with  each  other.  Hence,  more  or  less  of  reciprocal  preju- 
dice, and  of  the  existence  of  his  feelings  towards  me,  I  know  (by  |)rivate 
letters),  be/ore  we  met,  that  at  least  a  part  of  the  cabinet  had  a  full  intima- 
tion. 

"Still, the  pronounced  misunderstanding  between  Mr.  Trist  and  my- 
self could  not  have  occurred,  brt  for  other  circumstances:  1.  His  beiig 
obliged  to  send'forward  your  letter  of  April  14th,  instead  of  delivering  :' 
in  person,  with  the  explanatory  papers  which  he  desired  to  communicate. 
2.  His  bad  health  in  .May  and  June,  which,  F  am  happy  to  say,  has  now 
become  good  ;  and  3.  The  extreme  mystification  into  which  your  letter — 
and  particularly  an  intorlinnution — unavoidably  threw  me. 

"  So  far  as  I  am  conceined,  I  am  perfectly  willing  that  all  I  have  here- 
tofore written  to  the  department  alwnt  .Mr.  Trist  should  be  suppressed. 
I  make  this  declaration  as  due  to  my  present  esteem  for  that  gentleman  ; 
but  ask  no  favor,  and  desire  none,  at  the  hands  of  the  department.  Jus- 
tice to  myself,  however  tardy,  I  shall  take  care  to  have  done.    *    *    * 

"  I  do  not  acknowledge  the  justice  of  either  of  your  rebukes  contained 
in  the  letter  of  May  31,  [in  relation  to  Mr.  Trist  and  the  prisoners  at  Cerro 
Gordo,]  and  that  I  do  not  here  triumphantly  vindicate  myself,  is  not  from 
•he  want  of  will,  means,  or  ability,  but  lime. 

"  The  first  letter  (dated  February  22)  received  from  you  at  Vera  Cruz, 
contained  a  censure,  and  I  am  now  rebuked  for  the  unavoidable — nay, 
wise,  if  it  had  not  been  unavoidable— release  on  parole  of  the  prisoners 
taken  at  Cerro  Gordo  ;  even  before  one  word  of  commendation  from  gov- 
ernment has  reached  this  army  op  account  of  its  gallant  conduct  in  the 
capture  of  those  prisoners.  [\o  such  commendation  has  yet  Iwen  re- 
ceived, February,  1848.]  So,  in  regular  progression,  I  may — should  the 
same  army  gallantly  bear  me  into  the  city  of  Jfexico,  in  the  next  six  or 
seven  weeks,  which  is  probable,  if  wo  are  not  arrested  by  a  peace  or  a 
truce — look  to  be  dismissed  from  the  service  of  my  country  !  You  will 
perceive  that  I  am  aware  (as  I  have  long  been)  of  the  dangers  which  hang 
over  me  at  home  ;  but  I,  too,  am  a  citizen  of  the  United  Statics,  and  well 
know  the  obligations  imposed,  under  all  circumstances,  by  an  enlightened 
patriotism. 

"  In  respect  to  money,  I  beg  again  to  report  that  the  chief  commissary 
(Captain  Grayson)  of  this  army  has  not  received  a  dollar  from  the  United 
Stales  since  we  landed  at  Vera  Cruz,  March  9.  He  now  owes  more  than 
$200,000,  and  is  obliged  to  purrliase,  on  credit,  at  great  dlsadvniitngea. 
The  chief  quartermaster  (Captain  Irwin)  has  received  perhaps  $00,000, 
and  labors  under  like  incumbrances.     Both  have  sold   drafts  to  small 


■:  ".•< 


•  y.  •-. 


% 


4V* 


APPENDIX. 


Jf 


uuivuv'<t,  ««H  liorrowed  largely  of  the  puy  department,  which  has  received 
HUMUt  AnK  rhe  money  estimated  for.  Consequently  the  troops  have  some- 
4«ttr  ittivnfhK'  pay  due  them.  Our  poverty,  or  the  neglect  of  the  disburning 
<lkIfiwi'ittrtni.-<  at  home,  has  been  made  known,  to  our  shame,  in  the  papers 
«l  t<lW-M|>iial  here,  through  a  letter  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hunt,  that 
»:tw  tl'-nwd  on  the  person  of  the  special  messenger  from  Washington. 

■"'■Thrt  army  is  also  siitTering  greatly  from  the  want  of  necessary  cloth- 
)A%.  Lttttluriiny  blanket.-!  and  great-coats.  The  new  troops,  (those  who 
,liWif  imtf  .irrived,;  as  destitute  as  the  others,  were  first  told  that  they 
*MVll<l  find  abundant  supplies  at  New-Orleans ;  next,  at  Vera  Cruz,  and 
(UwiJy  i\iv(fi ;  wbpreas,  we  now  have,  perhaps,  a  thousand  hantis  engaged 
M  m^in^  shries  and  (out  of  bad  materials  and  at  high  co.)t)  pantalixjns. 
TtHwo*- rtiticlew,  about  3,000  pairs  of  each,  are  absolutely  necessa-y  to  cover 
lOUf  rt«)t^Hni>!'s  of  the  troops. 

■'  I'l^brimry  28fh,  olf  Lobos,  I  wrote  to  Brigadier  General  Brooke,  to 
liii/^mX  Ph«  qnarterinastcr  at  New-Orleans  to  send  me  large  supplies  of 
^\<MnKkg(.  .Vfarch  1^  and  23,  General  Brooke  replied  that  the  quartermas- 
iVw  a*  .Vw-^Jrleans,  had  '  neither  clothing  nor  shoes,'  and  that  he  was 
'  iWtt»t!i»4  That  unless  they  have  been  sent  out  to  you  direct,  you  will  be 
lUiW-tv  (<iw)ppr>inted.' 

'  ;i*nm<»  small  quantity  of  clothing,  perhaps  one-fifth  of  our  wants, 
(OtiMM-  fiiv  Vera  Cruz,  from  some  quarter,  and  followed  us  to  Jalapa  and  this 

(  i«n«t  hfrp  specially  remark,  that  this  report.  No.  30,  though  for- 
i^mi^H  rh<»  nijfht  of  its  date  (July  25),  seems  to  liave  been  miscarried. 
fnvfi^i^mtx-  about  \oveml;er  27,  that  it  was  not  acknowledged  by  the  de- 
fMfi'''itt<».«f,  i  caused  a  duplicate  to  be  made,  signed  it  and  sent  it  off  by  the 
**««»■  rtonvftyance  with  my  dispatch  No.  36,  and  the  charges  against  I!  u 
■\»f.  Ma^m  f  jeneral  Worth,  Major  General  Pillow,  and  Brevet  Lieutenant 
<>ilWni»l  f>uncan,  together  with  the  appeal  against  me,  of  the  former.  All 
(flUw*  iwp^rs  are  acknowledged  by  the  department  in  the  same  letter,  Janu- 
iwy  |l:V',  flint  recalls  me. 

tf.  was  that  budget  of  papers  that  caused  the  blow  of  power,  so  long 
«>n^nd(^r|.  to  fall  on  a  devoted  head.  The  three  arrested  officers,  and  he 
iwrtr.'  had  i^ndeavored  to  enforce  a  necessary  discipline  against  them,  are  all 
iVv  IW  |)lari>d  tnyether  before  the  same  court.  The  innocent  and  the  guilty, 
lOW  *i>.(«nwpr  and  the  accused,  the  judge  and  his  prisoners,  are  dealt  with 
StUiii*'.  .Vfost  impartial  justice  !  But  there  is  a  discrimination  with  a  ven- 
)(W«»»#^1  While  the  parties  are  on  trial — if  the  appealer  is  to  be  tried  at 
iSiU-  iwWc.h  seems  doubiful — two  are  restored  to  their  corps — one  of  them 
•Irtv  Kiw  hrftvet  rank,  and  I  am  deprived  of  my  command.  There  can  be  but 
iW«%-  "Wp  more  in  the  same  direction ;  throw  the  rules  and  articles  of  war 
i»MVv  Hut  fire,  and  leave  all  ranks  in  the  army  free  to  engage  in  dcnuncia- 


^ 


A  P  1'  E  Mi  f  X 


485 


Inuncia- 


tions,  and  a  general  scramble  for  prec«<li»iic«,  »»\\inrity,  an/l  executive  fa- 
vor. The  pronunciamenti),  on  the  \an  of  my  (nrlinnn  jnniors,  in  most 
triumphant. 

My  recall — under  the  circumctanceH  a  w^w-  punishment  hefrrrf  trial, 
l)Ut  to  be  followed  by  a  trial  here  that  may  run  ifrt/>  ifxr  antfimii,  and  on 
matters  I  am  but  partially  permitted  to  know  iiy  Ih/r  ()»rj»!irtrnent  and  my 
accusers — is  very  ingeniously  plju'-ed  on  two  iprimmln  :  1 ,  My  own  re- 
quest, meaning  that  of  Juno  4,  (ijuot/^d  alx/ve,  awl  \\v'.i(:  wa^  no  other  be- 
fore the  department,)  which  had  Ijeen  previ'dJ^ly  ''July  Vi)  arknowjcdwd 
and  rebukingly  declined.  2.  The  arrert  of  Hfry^  Wn^ir  f  Jeneral  Worth, 
for  writing  to  the  department,  "  under  tlie  f>r<ijfxt  arcl  f'frm  of  an  apiieaj," 
an  open  letter,  to  be  sent  through  me,  in  whi';h  I  wn.*  jfrrr<«ly  and  falsely 
accused  of  "  malice"  and  "  conduct  viiixw/xmui!  an  offirer  and  gentle- 
man," in  the  matter  of  the  general  order,  .No,  aW,  on  th«  iiibject  of  puff- 
ing letters  for  the  newspapers  at  hotne. 

On  that  second  point,  the  letter  from  the  d'?f»art«(ffnf.  of  January  1 3  is 
nore  than  ingenious  ;  it  is  elalwrate,  suUle,  ai*d  fir'ifonni) ;  a  profei'sional 
dissertation,  with  the  rare  merit  of  teaching  \irHut\\Air*,  until  now  wholly 
unknown  to  military  codes  and  treatiseF,  and  of  rjmt»t:  V>  all  mere  soldiers, 
however  great  their  experience  in  the  tield. 

I  have  not,  in  this  place,  time  to  do  more  ilt»n  hint  at  the  fatal  conse- 
quences of  the  novel  doctrine  in  question.  hv/itAtn^  t/t  thft  department, 
any  factious  junior  may,  at  his  pleasure,  in  ti»e  m'lAxt  of  tfie  enemy,  nsing 
"  the  pretext  and  form  of  an  appeal"  agaiiust  hiu  r/wimawler,  insult  and 
outrage  him  to  the  grossest  extent,  llioii;;h  he  itn  tin*  K«m<;ral-in-ehief.  and 
charged  with  the  conduct  of  the  most  crilifuil  iifn^rsaimifi,  and  that  com- 
mander may  not  arrest  the  incipic^nt  mutiiie<?r  until  iut  rfiall  have  first  laid 
tlown  his  own  authority,  and  8Libmitte<J  himm-lf  t/>  a  trial,  itr  wait,  at  least, 
until  a  distant  period  of  leisure  for  a  judicial  tfxnuiinnli'm  of  the  appeal ! 
.\nd  this  is  precisely  the  case  under  c/jm-iderdtion,  ncr  deportment,  in 
its  eagerness  to  condemn  me,  could  not  tsk<;  tiiif;  Ut  ii^m  of  the  ex- 
perienced that  the  general-in-chief  who  orwy?  orftmitx  f/i  an  outrage 
from  a  junior,  must  lay  his  account  to  suffer  tlw  )ik«  (rfrrn  all  the  vicions 
under  him  ;  at  least,  down  to  a  rank  that  may  l*e  tiififuftni  wothout  influ- 
ence in  high  quarters  bnjnnd  the  army.  But  thi*  wmld  n'lt  V;  the  whole 
mischief  to  the  public  service.  Even  tlie  gr«-at  uuunt  of  the  spirited,  in- 
telligent, and  well  affected,  among  his  brothers  in  ami*,  would  sfjon  re- 
duce such  commander  to  utter  imbecility,  by  XvM'iUff  fiirn  in  just  Jcorn  and 
contempt  for  his  recreancy  to  himself  and  wuntry.  Ami  aiv.  tlhcijiline 
and  efficiency  of  no  raluc  in  (he  field  ? 

But  it  was  not  my  request  of  June  4,  nor  reprjtt  So.  Vi  fnf  July  25), 
so  largely  quoted  from  above,  nor  yet  the  apf)"al  of  imt-  f/rtmiinrimln, 
that  has  at  length  brought  down  ujwn  me  tliii^  \i>iiiMititi,  wi  riearly  pre. 


.\^ 


*v 


.-AV 


1 


^^^^ 


48o 


A  J'  I'  K  .\  D  X  X  , 


dict/;(l.  That  appeal,  no  doubt,  had  it»  vieritu,  i-onfvii-rUin  if  i'nii,i'  frtim 
an  (irratic  brotlier — a  deserter  from  tlie  other  «?xtr<Mi)i' — wini,  im^iufi  just 
made  hi8  peace  with  the  trmfailh,  wan  b<jiind  to  t^'i^imUv/'  «|«»(l«»iy  \iy  ac- 
ceptable denunciations  of  one  fur  whom,  up  to  Vera  ('ru/,,  Uit  \mi\  prr>- 
f(««cd  fnnd  not  without  cause)  tlic  hifjhuKt  (jl)ii(faiionn.  (It  w»i«  ib'-fr  he 
lenrntMl  from  rnc  tiiat  I  was  doomed  at  VVanhini^jn,  and  Klruij^lilwny  (he 
uffMlate  lx;gan  to  seek,  tiirough  a  quarrel,  the  nu^anii  ui  Uituum  ''"■( 
knowledge  to  his  own  benefit.)  No,  there  was  (ntcj'iillyj  *tili  mnitiin 
eiernent  associated  in  the  work,  kept,  as  far  us  prac:ticul;l<;,  mtl  nt  Ih'r  lirltirr 
of  rncall ;  an  influence  proceeding  from  the  othr-r  arr<?>!U«i  ic-wrtti,  wIi'f  i.^ 
()ult<!  willing  that  it  should  be  generally  underst/>o«l  (iiiwl  wto  «hall  j/ain.iay 
his  significant  acquiescence  ?)  that  all  rewards  and  \iutniUiiviult  in  this 
army  were,  from  the  first,  to  follow  fiis  recommendaiionx,  'l'hi»  (li«  morf 
powerful  of  the  pronunciados  against  No.  34!>  well  knew,  at  tlw;  lim'-,  ns 
1  sfKin  knew  that  he  was  justly  obnoxious  not  only  to  (l»<;  Nnimii'lvr<<i'>ns 
of  that  order,  but  to  otiier  censures  of  yet  a  much  graver  i:\uirtu:Urt . 

In  respect  to  this  general,  the  letter  of  recall  obw-rve*,  (MnrnlfMrtirnlly, 
but  with  an  acumen  worthy  of  more  than  "a  iiasly"  luiliai,  liittt  »mu!  of 
my  specifications  of  his  misconduct  "  are  hardly  c«)ititi«teiit  with  your  [inyj 
ofTicinl  reports  and  commendations." 

Heemingly  this  is  a  most  just  rebuke.  liut,  waiting  f<;f  tUr  trial.*,  I 
will  here  briefly  state,  that  unfortunately  I  followed  tliat  g<fn<fralV  own 
reports,  written  and  oral ;  that  my  confidence  lent  hint  in  mlvHni:i\  had 
been  but  very  slightly  shaken  as  early  as  the  firKj  we/'k  in  iti:uAii-r  ;  that 
up  to  that  time,  from  our  entrance  into  this  city,  I  ha<i  iiitt'it  Ml,  th<r  desk, 
shut  out  from  personal  intercourse  with  my  brother  olfi(>;r»,  uwl  that  it  was 
not  till  after  that  confinement  that  facts,  conduct,  and  imAivnit,  Ix-gan  to 
j)0ur  in  upon  me. 

A  word  as  to  the  6th  article  of  war.  I  can  truly  say  tliat  in  (his  and 
other  communications,  I  Imve  not  designed  tlie  slight/fxt  ii't»noniiu;l  Ui  the 
Commander-in-chief  of  the  army  and  navy  of  iImj  l'nit/«l  HttiUin,  No 
doubt  he,  like  myself  #nd  oil  others,  may  fall  int/>  mistaki;*  hm  Vi  (Mrticiilar 
men  ;  and  I  cannot,  having  myself  been  liehind  the  curtain,  wlmil  the  legal 
fiction  that  all  acts  of  a  secret  -\'  are  the  acts  of  tlie  l'fe»i<l«iit,  V«rf,  in 
my  defensive  statements,  I  have  offered  no  wantxin  i\'t<mitirijmy  to  tin:  head 
of  the  War  Department,  although  that  functionary  iii  ivii  in  lim  mtnmim- 
tion  of  the  above-mentioned  article. 

Closing  my  correspondence  with  the  department  until  «fl/rr  llift  ap- 
proaching trial, 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  respectfully,  your  most  r/l»wli<mil  wrrvant, 

wiNKiKijj  Hctrrr. 

Hoti.  Secketary  of  War. 


A  I»  P  K  N  D  I X . 


487 


I  hat 


to 

nnd 

ilie 

No 

Milnr 

■««' 
rt,  in 
lien  (I 
nnra- 


np- 


i«t, 
•T, 


THK  SECRETARV  OF  WAIl  TO  fiENPlRAL  SCOTT. 

VVaii  Dki'artment,     ) 
Wanhhifflon,  A]>rit2l,  1848.  \ 

Sm :  It  would  not  txj  roixKitfiil  to  you  to  (iiikh  unnoticed  your  extraor- 
dinary letter  of  the  a4tli  of  Kelfriinry,  nor  junt  to  niy.self  to  permit  it  to 
rcniiiiii  ununHwercd  I'U  tin;  (ilifH  of  tliiH  df'|ifirtiiieiit. 

To  ultenipt  to  di«|)(!l  the  dehinioim  which  you  Rcern  to  have  long  perti- 
naciously choriHlied,  and  to  correct  the  errorn  into  wliicli  you  have  fallen, 
devolves  upon  rneu  duty  wliich  I  wunt  not  decline ;  but  in  performing  it  I 
mean  to  l)c  an  cautioun  an  yon  profexM  to  have  l)een,  to  nbulain  from  any 
"  wanton  diHcourteny,"  «nd  I  Iiojk!  to  U;  alike  iiuccesHful.  Your  prudent 
respect  for  the  "  6th  article  of  war,"  ha»  iniluccfd  you  to  hold  me  ostensi- 
bly responsible  for  many  thingH  which,  you  are  aware,  are  not  fairly 
chargeable  to  me.  'J'lie  ilevicn  you  have  adopted  to  assail  the  President, 
by  aiming  your  blows  at  the  Hecretnry  of  War,  does  more  credit  to  your 
ingenuity  as  an  accuser,  than  to  your  character  as  a  soldier.  A  premedi- 
tated contrivance  to  avoid  re»«|)ori*iil»ility  does  not  indicate  an  intention  not 
to  do  wrong. 

The  general  aspect  of  your  lelt/jr  fliscloscs  an  evident  design  to  create 
a  belief  that  you  were  drawn  (orlh  froin  your  (juiet  position  in  a  bureau  of 
this  department,  ai. "  assigned  Ut  the  comtnand  of  our  armies  in  Mexico, 
for  the  purpose  of  ix-ing  sacrificed ;  and  that,  to  accomplish  this  end, 
"neglects,  disap|K)intments,  iiijcir's,  and  rebukes"  were  "inflicted"  on 
you,  and  the  necessary  iiwmm  of  pro»(;ciil)ng  the  war  with  success  with- 
held ;  or,  in  other  words,  that  the  ({overnmont,  after  preferring  you  to  any 
other  of  the  gallant  generals  within  the  rung*!  of  its  choice,  had  labored  to 
frustrate  its  own  plans,  to  bring  defeat  Ufttiu  its  own  armies,  and  involve  it- 
self in  ruin  and  disgrace,  for  an  object  so  unimportant  in  its  bearing  upon 
public  affairs.  A  charge  so  entirely  prnposterfius,  so  utterly  repugnant  to 
all  the  prolmbilities  of  human  conduct,  calls  for  no  refutjitirn. 

For  other  purposes  than  U>  cmnlmt  this  fondly  cherished  chimera,  it  is 
proper  that  I  should  notice  some  of  your  sjK-ciflc  aliegaliona. 

It  is  true  that,  after  yon  were  dexIgMated  for  the  chief  command  of  our 
armies,  tlie  President  was  deslroiiii  Ihiil  your  dpi>arturo  should  not  be  un- 
necessarily delayed,  but  yon  were  not  restricted,  as  you  allege,  to  "only 
four  days,"  to  make  the  necesxary  (ireiMirations  at  Washington.  You 
were  not  ordered  away  until  you  hiul  rc|(ort»v|  that  these  preparations  were 
so  far  completed  that  your  prewnce  here  was  no  longer  required.  1'lien, 
instehd  of  going  directly  U\  Mexico,  you  were  (s^rmittc^d,  at  your  own  re- 
quest, to  take  a  circuitous  route  ihroiigh  New-York,  and  there  to  remain 
a  few  days.     You  staid  ut  New-York  fienrly  nn  ctitire  week  ;  and  not  until 


488 


A  P  P  K  N  D  I  X  , 


I 


fli/'  Kith  of  Dfirornbfir  (twenty-six  dnyn  afior  l<?;ni(i^  W^Mt^tm),  *M 
ynii  rc'icli  NRW-Orlrans,  whore  you  would  liavc  arrivi-d  in  w'*>^  'fc')"*  if 
yoii  had  l)cen  required  to  take  the  direct  route.  Thi'*  wA'v'aM  ii^ntiifiteA, 
hy  which  your  arrival  nt  New-OrlcariB  wan  delayd  iw-arly  iitf»<f  w**^, 
h  iricornpatihic  with  your  allegation  that  you  wi-k  hWi.-wM  **  mAj  Uittf 
dfiyi  nt  VVashinfjfon,  where  twenty  might  have  hmn  iii'M  nAyiu^jt^ttmiy 
(■rfifiloycd."  Tliis  complaint  has  relation  to  factis  wiiliin  yimr  </»«  kft^twU 
erij,"' ;  error,  therefore,  is  hardly  rcconcilealjie  with  any  n>\\»Min4*^  in  ),«!•  #^.» 
cnrnte,  Ah  this  is  your  opening  charge  againKt  the  War  Uf\r4lt»)fHt,>itiA 
m/iy  l)e  regarded  as  indicative  of  those  which  (oilow,  I  i-liall  uti»)«*r  Uttr  ft^H' 
tntion  of  it  )»till  tnorc  complete,  for  the  pnr|x>s<.'  lA  flwwi))j{  wMi  »>»*« 
fcrkie.i-iiess  you  have  performed  the  funclion^^  of  an  wxMwr,  %nA  \iim 
little  reliance,  in  the  present  state  of  your  feelings-,  can  ly  \>V4fM  i/tt  jitttt 
mnuitry.  You  are  the  witness  by  whom  your  allcgtai';!)  it  in  (a  *fc*' 
proved.  On  the  day  of  your  departure  from  W a*Sm'fiim,,  ym  Mi  »rffc 
me  n  pnper  in  your  own  handwriliii<r,  dated  NoveinUt'r  2'.i4,  IHtti,  v/Jh  f^,* 
following  heading:  "  Notes,  suggesting  topics  to  U-  i'in^)f>u'*A  th  It/*:  H*f 
cretfiry's  instructions  to  General  S.,  drawn  up  (in  lia^ti?^  »l  iV  ft«\m*itA 
the  former."     From  that  paper  I  extract  the  following  \iiiU^n^it ', 

"I  [the  Secretary  of  War]  am  pleased  to  learn  Umn  yn  \ii*y,i^)it 
Hc'ift]  that  you  have,  in  n  very  few  days,  already,  tlirousgh  iUtt  ^tt^iti 
xtafT  of  the  army  here,  laid  a  sufficient  basis  for  th*;  \nit\i'tt*tt  wMt  »>p«<*>» 
yf;ir  are  rharged,  and  that  ynu  now  think  il  licsl  to  jiroct^J  lU  i/wji  lit  ly, 
ito\iihtii'tkl,\\\  order  to  organize  the  largest  numb(;r  of  tfy^j*  <W  «*«  te 
obtained  In  time  for  that  most  important  expedition" — tl*/;  <xj*«l*<i'*<  n^nifwtt. 
Vera  f-'ruz.  Here  is  your  own  most  explicit  adi/iissi</ii  !]*&*  ym  ftytH' 
>i''nted  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  before  leaving  WatU'iD^'m,  tintt  ttf' 
rangernents  were  so  far  completed,  that  you  ihoufflU  it  Utt  ht  ^ffiif:fnl  ttl. 
onri'  to  the  army  in  Mexico,  and  yet  you  make  it  your  <n^int^  t^m^H 
((gainst  the  department,  that  you  were  forced  away  to  ilifxU/i  i^iftt  pm 
had  time  for  necessary  preparations. 

I  present  tlie  next  charge  in  your  own  language  :  "  1  \miAt4  it)  ym  h 
written  request  that  one  of  three  of  our  acw^mplislieH  «;a(/jw«»,  fW^A 
named,  rniglit  be  appointed  assistant  adjutant  general,  w/t]<  tim  n»k  i4 
Major,  for  duty  with  me  in  the  field,  and  there  war  a  vu/;iwM;y,  Mt  iitu  itatf, 
for  one.  My  rerpiest  has  never  been  attended  tf) ;  and  Uiuk  J  •«♦•*■  StuA  tttt 
officer  of  the  adjutant  general's  department  with  me  in  lim  rmh^t^n, 
('an  another  instance  be  cited  of  denying  to  a  general-iiH^itk'f,  utiit^M4, 
at  (he  bead  of  a  large  army,  or  even  a  small  one,  lite  tmUvivMi '4  i^  finH 
of  the  ?<tafr— that  is,  the  chief  in  the  department  of  orAffis  HtA 'vxftc^yittA' 
enre  ?" 

Were  the  ca.se  precisely  aa  you  have  stated  it  to  \it>,  ym  ^mvi  ifh»i 
tfin  mnch  prominence,  as  a  matter  of  complaint,  to  th<>  i'r'>M<V<^%  Mmm\ 


1'  K  -V  I)  I  X  , 


489 


'.  JfM 


to  l)p  cniilrolled  in  tlie  excrciBO  of  tlie  npiKiintinr.'  power  hy  yoiir  wishps. 
Had  there  been  ii  vacancy,  cucli  m  yon  iiicntion,  for  one  of  the  ''nccom- 
plislied  cuptainH"  you  iiuined,  no  one  knouH  Ix.-tler  than  you  do  that  your 
request  could  not  have  been  accedi-d  to.  without  departing  from  the  uniform 
rule  of  helection  for  ntaff  ap|joinlnieMt> — without  violating  the  rifilits  of  se- 
veral otticers  to  regular  promotion,  and  offering  an  indiifnity  to  all  those  who 
held  the  [wsition  of  asxictant  adjut^intrf  gr-n'Tal  with  the  rank  of  captain. 
Tlie  rule  of  regular  promotion  in  the  *\nK  in  an  inflexible,  and  has  lK>cn 
as  uniformly  ob«erved,  as  that  in  tho  line.  It  tnuxt.  appear  Hiirprisiiig  that 
you,  who  were  so  deeply  "  nhocked  and  dirtrcHHed"  at  the  sugL'f'rition  of 
appointing,  by  authority  of  CongreHH,  a  "ci/izf-n  lieutenai  frennral,"  or 
vesting  the  President  with  pow(;r  to  devolve  the  command  of  the  army  on 
a  major  general,  without  regard  U>  priority  in  the  date  of  his  commission, 
should,  in  your  first  request  after  Ijcing  a«nigned  to  command,  ask  tho  Pre- 
sident to  disregard  tho  rights  of,  at  leant,  four  officers,  as  meritorious  as  the 
"three  accomplished  captains"  named  by  you,  Tli';  President's  views  on 
this  subject  undoubtedly  differ  from  yours,  {(is  reijard  for  the  rights  of 
officers  is  not  graduated  by  their  rank.  'I'how;  of  captains  nnil  major  ge- 
nerals have  equal  value  in  his  estimation,  and  an  equal  claim  to  his  respect 
and  protection.  I  cannot  admit  that  it  is  a  Just  ground  of  cetisnre  and  re- 
buke against  the  "  head  of  the  War  Dejiartnient,"  that  the  President  did 
not  see  tit,  in  order  to  gratify  your  feelings  of  favoritism,  to  disregard  the 
claims,  and  violate  the  rights,  of  all  the  assistAnt  adjutants  general  of  the 
rank  of  captain  then  in  commission.  • 

But,  so  far  as  it  is  made  a  ground  of  omplaint  and  reproof,  this  is  not 
the  worst  aspect  of  the  case.  You  arc  entirely  mistaken  in  the  assertion 
that  there  was  then  a  vacancy  in  the  adjutant  general's  staff",  with  tho  rank 
of  major,  to  which  either  of  the  capt;iins  recommended  by  ymi  could  have 
been  properly  appointed.  There  was  no  such  vacancy.  To  show  the 
correctness  of  this  statement,  and  to  demonstrate  your  error,  I  appeal  to 
the  army  register  and  the  records  of  tho  adjutant  general's  office.  Your 
mistake  as  to  an  obvious  fact,  lying  within  the  range  of  matters  with 
which  you  are  presumed  to  be  familiar,  has  excitcfl  less  surprise  than  the 
declaration  that,  by  the  non-compliance  with  yotir  request,  you  "  have  had 
no  officer  of  the  adjutant  general's dcfwrfment  with  me  [you]  in  the  cam- 
paign." Every  officer  of  that  department,  at  least  eight,  were,  as  you  well 
knew,  subject  to  your  command.  When  you  arrived  in  .Mexico,  there 
were  with  the  army  at  least  five  assistant  adjutants  general,  all  at  your 
service.  That  you  chose  to  employ  none  of  them  at  your  hoad-<iiiarters, 
and  dotached  from  other  appropriate  duties  an  officer  to  act  as  an  assistant 
adjutant  general,  may  well  lie  regarded  as  a  slight  to  the  whole  of  that 
staff"  then  with  you  in  Mexico,  and  a  cauwjof  complaint ;  but  certainly  not 
a  complaint  to  emanate  from  you  against  the  War  Department.     Willing 


f- 


490 


APPENDIX. 


as  I  am  to  presume,  though  unable  to  conceive,  that  circuinstanccH  justi- 
fied you  in  passini;  over  ail  the  assistant  adjutants  general  then  with  the 
army,  and  in  selecting  an  officer  of  the  line  to  perform  the  dutica  of  adju- 
tant general  at  your  hcad-<|uartera,  I  was  much  surprised  to  lenrn  from  you 
that,  when  (ieneral  Worth  sent  to  you  one  of  these  "  accomplished  cap- 
tains," tiie  first  on  your  list,  under  the  belief  that  you  desired  his  services 
as  an  acting  assistant  adjutant  general,  you  declined  to  employ  him  in  that 
capacity ;  and  I  am  still  more  surprised  to  perceive  that  you  have  made  it 
a  dis^tinct  ground  of  charge  in  your  arraignment  of  the  War  Department, 
that  you  were  not  permitted  to  have  him  as  an  assistant  adjutant  general  at 
your  head-4juarterH.  Had  you  selected  him  instead  of  another,  as  you 
might  have  done,  yon  would  have  been  bereft  of  all  pretext  for  complaint. 
Though  there  wa«  no  vacancy  in  the  adjutant  general's  stafT  of  the  grade 
of  major,  for  which  only  you  recommended  the  "  accomplished  captains," 
and  to  which  only  tliey  were  properly  eligible,  there  was  a  vacancy  in  it 
of  the  rank  of  captain.  For  this  position  you  recommended  an  officer  in 
General  Wool's  stafT,  then  on  the  Chihuahua  expedition.  This  officer  was 
sub8ei)uently  apprjinted  assistant  adjutant  general,  with  the  rank  of  captain, 
as  you  det'ircd,  and  has  ever  since  been  at  the  head-({uarter8  of  that  general. 
Thus  it  will  be  perceived  that  your  request,  bo  far  as  it  was  proper  and 
reasonable,  was  actually  complied  with. 

The  next  specification  in  the  catalogue  of  charges  preferrred  against 
me  is,  that  a  court-martial  waa  not  instituted  by  the  President  for  the  trial 
or  General  Jfcir»>hall  and  Captain  Montgomery  on  your  charges  against 
them.  The  offences  imputed  to  them  were  certainly  not  of  an  aggravated 
character.  The  one,  a^  was  alleged,  had  been  incautious  in  relation  to  a 
dispatch,  under  circumstances  that  might  admit  of  its  coming  to  the 
knowledge  of  tlie  enemy ;  and  the  other  had  not  carried  a  dispatch  with  as 
much  expedition  as  you  thought  he  might  have  done.  As  one  was  a  ge- 
neral officer,  a  court  to  try  him  must  have  been  composed  of  officers  of 
high  rank.  Before  the  order  for  assembling  it  could  have  reached  Mexico, 
it  was  foreseen  tluit  your  command  would  be  at  Vera  Cruz,  and  probably 
engaged  in  an  active  siege  of  that  city.  Officers  could  not,  therefore,  have 
been  then  sent  from  your  column  to  Monterey  or  the  Rio  Grande,  (where 
the  court  must  liave  been  held,)  without  great  detriment  to  the  public  ser- 
vice. Had  you  been  deprived  of  several  officers  of  high  rank,  at  that 
critical  period,  by  order  of  the  President,  it  would  have  afforded  a  bet- 
ter pretence  of  complaint  than  any  one  in  your  extended  catalogue.  Had 
the  court  been  composed  of  officers  taken  from  General  Taylor's  com- 
mand, it  would  have  still  further  weakened  his  condition,  already  weak  in 
consequence  of  the  very  large  force  you  had  withdrawn  from  him.  Sub- 
sequent events  have  proved  that  it  was  most  fortunate  the  President  did 
not  comply  with  your  request,  for  had  he  done  so,  some  of  the  officers 


APPENDIX. 


491 


highest  in  rank  and  most  conspiciioug  at  Buena  V'iMa  might,  at  that  criti- 
cal juncture,  have  Iwen  neixirutod  t'rom  tticir  command!!  and  en>'a!;t'd  on  a 
court  at  a  diHtancc  fruni  timt  glurlciuii  Fceno  of  action.  It  'i»  not  ranciful  to 
Hupporic  that  tlieir  absence  might  iiave  clianged  the  fortune  of  that  event- 
ful (lay,  and  that,  instead  uf  rejoicing,  as  we  now  do,  in  a  triumplinnt  vic- 
tory, among  the  most  brilliant  in  the  whole  couriie  of  the  war,  we  might 
have  had  to  lament  a  most  disustroux  defeat,  and  the  almost  total  loss  of 
the  wliolc  force  you  hud  left  to  sustain  that  frontier. 

No  man  has  more  rea.son  than  yourself  to  rcj^iice  that  no  order  emana- 
ted from  Washington,  though  re()uested  by  you,  which  would  have  fur- 
ther impaired  the  efficiency  of  General  Taylor's  command  in  the  crisis 
that  tlien  awaited  him. 

My  letter  of  the  22d  of  February,  Winveying  the  President's  views  in 
regard  to  your  order  depriving  Colonel  Harney  of  his  appropriate  com- 
mand, is  severely  arraigned  by  you  us  offensive,  both  in  manner  and  matter. 

The  facts  in  relation  to  this  case  of  alleged  grievance  are  now  before 
the  public,  and  a  brief  allusion  to  them  will  place  the  transaction  in  its 
true  light.  Under  your  orders  Colonel  Hanwy  had  brought  seven  compa- 
nies of  his  regiment,  the  2d  dragoons,  from  ilonterey  to  the  Brazos,  to  be 
under  your  immediate  command  ;  and  two  others,  U-ing  all  of  the  regiment 
in  Mexico,  were  expected  to  follow  within  a  few  days.  In  the  midst  of  his 
high  hopes  and  ardent  desire  for  active  service,  you  took  from  him  the 
command  of  his  own  regiment,  devolved  it  on  one  of  his  junior  officers, 
and  ordered  him  back  to  General  Taylor's  line,  to  Umk  for  -what  was  not 
inappropriately  denominated  "  an  imaginary  command."  Outraged  in  his 
feelings  and  injured  in  his  rights,  he  respectfully  remonstrated  ;  his  appeal 
to  your  sense  of  justice  was  unavailing.  Nejtlier  to  this  gallant  officer, 
nor  to  the  President,  did  you  assign  any  sufficient  or  even  plausible  reason 
for  this  extraordinary  proceeding.  The  whole  army,  I  believe,  and  the 
whole  country,  where  the  transaction  became  known,  entertained  but  one 
opinion  on  the  subject,  and  that  was,  that  you  had  inflicted  an  injury  and 
an  outrage  upon  a  brave  and  meritorious  officer.  Such  an  act,  almost  the 
first  on  your  assuming  command,  boded  disastrous  con.«e(|ueiiCe9  to  the 
public  service,  and  devolved  upon  the  President  the  duty  of  interposing  to 
protect  the  injured  officer.  This  interposition  you  have  made  a  grave 
matter  of  accusation  against  the  iiead  of  tl»e  War  Department,  and  have 
characterized  it  as  a  censure  and  a  rebuke.  It  may  imply  both,  and  .><till, 
being  merited,  may  leave  you  without  a  pretence  for  complaint.  The  Pre- 
sident, after  nlluding  to  his  duty  to  sustain  the  rights  of  the  officers  under 
your  command,  as  well  as  your  own  rights,  informed  you  that  he  did  not 
discover  in  the  case,  as  you  had  presented  it,  sufficient  cause  for  such  an 
order ;  that,  in  his  opinion.  Colonel  Harney  liad  a  just  cause  to  complain, 
.md  that  he  hoped  lln'  ;ii  iftor  had  been  reconi-idered  by  you,  and  the  colo- 


492 


APPENDIX. 


ncl  restored  to  his  appropriate  command.  Your  own  subspqnciit  course 
in  this  cnso  dcnionstrotes  the  unrensonnblenes  of  your  complaint,  and  vin- 
dieafps  tlie  correctness  of  the  President's  proceedings.  You  Imd  renlly 
rebiii<P(l  and  censured  your  own  conduct,  for  even  Ixjfore  you  liad  recf  ived 
the  President's  views,  you  had,  as  he  hoped  you  would,  reconsidered  tlie 
matter,  become  convinced  of  your  error,  reversed  your  own  order,  and  re- 
stored Colonel  Harney  to  his  command  ;  thus  giving  the  strongest  evidence 
in  favor  of  the  propriety  ,  ,  correctness  of  oil  the  President  had  dune  in 
the  case.  I  give  you  too  .lUch  credit  for  steadiness  of  purpose,  to  suspoct 
that  you  retraced  your  steps  from  mere  caprice,  or  for  any  other  cause 
than  a  conviction  that  you  had  fallen  into  error.  After  the  nuitter  had 
thus  terminated,  it  appears  unaccountable  to  me  that  you,  who  above  all 
oth(<rs  should  wish  it  to  pass  into  oblivion,  have  again  culled  attention  to  it 
by  making  it  an  item  in  your  arraignment  of  the  War  Dopartmont. 

You  struggle  in  vain  to  vindicate  your  course  in  this  case,  by  referring 
to  your  own  octs  in  the  compaign  of  1814.  You  then  sent  away,  as  you 
allege,  against  their  wishes,  "  three  senior  field  officers,  of  as  many  regi- 
ments, who  were  infirm,  uninstrvctcd,  and  inefficient,  in  favor  of  three 
juniors,  and  with  the  subsequent  approbation  of  Major  General  Hrown  and 
the  head  of  the  War  Department."  This  precedent  docs  not,  in  my  judg- 
ment change  the  aspect  of  the  present  case.  Colonel  Homey  wns  not 
"  infirm,  uninstructed,  and  inefficient ;"  you  did  not  assign,  and  in  defer- 
ence to  the  known  opinion  of  the  army  and  country,  you  did  not  venture 
to  assign  that  reason  for  deposing  him.  I  do  not  understond  the  force  of 
your  logicol  deduction,  that,  because  you,  on  a  former  occasion,  hod  de- 
prived officers  i.nder  you  of  their  commands,  for  good  and  sufficient  rea- 
sons, with  subsequent  approval,  you  may  now,  and  at  any  time,  do  the 
same  thing,  without  any  reason  whatever ;  and  if  the  President  interposes 
to  correct  the  procedure,  you  have  a  just  cause  to  complain  of  on  indig- 
nity, and  a  right  to  arraign  the  War  Department. 

As  your  animadversion  upon  the  tone  of  my  letter  is,  probably,  not  a 
blow  aimed  at  a  much  more  conspicuous  object,  to  be  reached  through  me, 
I  ought,  perhaps,  to  pass  it  without  notice.  On  revision  of  that  letter,  I 
cannot  perceive  that  it  is  not  entirely  respectful  in  manner  and  language. 
The  views  oi  the  President  are  therein  confidently  expressed,  becouse 
they  were  confidently  entertained.  It  seems  to  be  admitted  by  you  that, 
"  if  dictated  to  the  greenest  general  of  the  recent  appointments,"  the 
letter  would  not  have  been  exceptionable.  I  was  not  aware  that  it  was 
my  duty  to  modify  and  graduate  my  style,  so  as  to  meet,  according  to  your 
fastidious  views,  the  various  degrees  of  greenness  and  ripene.ss  of  the 
generals,  to  whom  I  am  required  to  convey  the  orders  ot'  the  President ; 
and  for  any  such  defect  in  my  official  communications  I  have  no  ajwlogy 
to  offer. 


APPENDIX. 


493 


In  the  same  letter,  wherein  you  complain  of  being  censured  for  your 
couri!c  in  relation  to  Colonel  Harney,  you  say,  "I  am  now  rebuked  for  the 
unavoidablo — nay  wise,  if  it  had  not  been  unavoidable — release,  on  parole, 
of  the  priHoiicra  taken  at  Cerro  Gordo— oven  before  one  word  of  com- 
inenilation  from  government  had  reached  this  army,  on  account  of  its  gal- 
lant conduct  in  the  capture  of  those  priHoners."  Accident  alone,  not  any 
oversight  or  neglect  on  my  part,  has  given  you  the  apparent  advantage  of 
the  ut'gravation,  which  you  have  artfully  thrown  into  this  charge.  My 
letter,  coinniending  yourself  and  the  gallant  army  under  your  command, 
for  the  glorious  achievement  at  Cerro  Gordo,  was  written  and  sent  to  you 
on  the  li)th  of  May,  eleven  days  before  tliat  which  you  are  pleased  to  con- 
sider as  containing  a  rebuke. 

But  I  meet  the  main  charge  with  a  positive  denial.  You  never  were 
rebuked  for  discharging  the  prisoners  taken  at  Cerro  Gordo.  This  issue 
can  Ik!  tried  by  the  record.  All  that  was  ever  said  on  the  subject,  is  con- 
tained in  the  following  extract  from  my  letter  of  the  31st  of  ^lay. 

'•  Your  course  hitherto,  in  relation  to  prisoners  of  war,  both  men  and 
officers,  in  discharging  them  on  parole,  has  l)ccn  liberal  and  kind ;  but 
whether  it  ought  to  be  still  longer  continued,  or  in  some  respects  changed, 
has  been  under  the  consideration  of  the  President,  and  he  has  directed  me 
to  communicate  to  you  his  views  on  the  subject.  He  is  not  unaware  of 
the  great  embarrassment  their  detention,  or  the  sending  of  them  to  the 
United  States,  wou!J  occasion ;  but,  so  far  os  relates  to  the  officers,  he 
thinks  tlipy  should  be  detained  until  duly  exchanged.  In  that  case,  it  will 
probably  be  found  expedient  to  send  them,  or  most  of  them,  to  the  United 
States.  You  will  not,  therefore,  except  for  special  reasons  in  particular 
cases,  discharge  the  officers,  who  may  be  taken  prisoners,  but  detain  them 
with  you,  or  send  them  to  the  United  States,  as  you  shall  deem  most  ex- 
pedient." 

If  I  understand  the  force  of  terms,  there  is  nothing  in  this  language 
which,  by  fair  interpretation,  can  be  made  to  express  or  imply  a  rebuke.  I 
cannot  conceive  that  any  mind,  other  than  one  of  o  diseased  sensitiveness, 
ever  anxious  to  discover  causes  for  complaint  and  accusation,  could  ima- 
gine that  any  thing  like  a  rebuke  was  contained  in  this  extract ;  yet  on  this 
unsubstantial  basis  alone  rests  the  charge,  over  and  over  again  presented, 
that  you  were  rebuked  by  the  War  Department,  for  discharging  the  pris- 
oners captured  at  Cerro  Gordo.  If,  in  a  cose  where  it  wos  so  easy  to  be 
right  and  so  difficult  to  get  wrong,  you  could  fall  into  such  an  obvious  mis- 
take, what  may  not  be  expected  from  you  in  other  matters,  where  your 
perverted  feelings  have  o  freer  and  wider  range  7 

Before  considering  your  complaints,  for  not  having  been  supplied  with 
sufficient  means  for  transportation  1. 1  the  expedition  against  Vera  Cruz,  I 
.  will  notice  your  "  four  inemoriuls"  to  the  War  Department,  in  which  you 


'^TT'TIW 


494 


APPENDIX. 


demonstmted,  as  yon  state,  that  Vera  Cruz  was  the  true  basis  of  opera- 
tions, and  th(.  t  tlie  enemy  ^  capital  could  not,  probably,  be  reached  from  the 
Rio  Grande. 

I  cannot  discover  the  pertinency  of  your  allusion  to  these  four  memo- 
rials, e.xr.ept  it  be  to  put  forth  a  claim  to  the  merit  of  originating  the  expe- 
dition against  Vera  Cruz,  and  of  being  the  first  to  discover  tliat  the  most 
practicable  route  to  the  city  of  Mexico  was  from  thu*.  point  on  the  Gulf; 
but  your  known  abhorrence  for  a  "  pruriency  of  fame  not  earne  i,"  ouglit 
to  shield  you  from  the  suspicion  of  such  an  infirmity. 

I  am  sure  you  are  not  ignorant  of  the  fact — but,  if  you  are,  it  is  nev- 
ertheless true — that  the  expedition  against  Vera  Cruz  had  been  for  some 
lime  under  consideration  ;  that  great  pains  had  been  taken  to  get  informa- 
tion as  to  the  defences  of  that  city,  the  strength  of  the  castle,  and  the 
difficulties  which  would  attend  the  debr-rkation  of  troops ;  that  maps  had 
been  proceed  and  carefully  examined  ;  that  persons  who  had  resided  tiiere, 
and  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  had  been  consulted  on  the  subject,  and 
the  enterprise  actually  resolved  on  before  the  date  of  your  firat  memoir, 
and  before  you  were  thought  of  to  conduct  it. 

As  early  as  the  9th  of  July,  1846,  within  two  months  after  the  decla- 
ration of  war,  and  before  the  main  body  of  troops  raised  for  its  prosecution 
had  reached  the  scene  of  operations,  considerable  attention  had  been  given 
to  that  subject.  On  that  day  a  letter,  from  this  department  to  General 
Taylor,  thus  alludes  to  a  movement  from  Vera  Cruz  into  the  interior  of  the 
enemy's  country. 

"  If,  from  all  the  information  you  may  communicate  to  the  department, 
as  well  as  that  derived  from  other  sources,  it  should  appear  that  the  diffi- 
culties and  olstacles  to  the  conducting  of  a  campaign,  from  the  Rio 
Grande,  the  present  base  of  your  operations,  for  any  considerable  distance 
into  the  interior  of  Mexico,  will  be  very  great,  the  department  will  consider 
whether  the  main  invasion  should  not  ultimately  take  place  from  some 
point  on  the  coast,  say  Tampico,  or  some  other  point  in  the  vicinity  of 
Vera  Cruz.  This  suggestion  is  made  with  a  view  to  call  your  attention 
to  it,  and  to  obtain  from  you  such  information  as  you  may  be  able  to  im- 
part. Should  it  be  determined  that  the  main  army  should  invade  Mexico 
at  some  other  point  than  the  Rio  Grande — say  the  vicinity  of  Vera  Cruz 
— a  large  and  sufficient  number  of  transport  vessels  could  be  jilaced  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande  by  the  tir.ie  the  healthy  season  sets  in — say 
early  in  November.  The  main  army,  with  all  its  munitions,  could  be 
transported,  leaving  a  sufficient  force  behind  to  hold  and  occupy  tiio  Rio 
Grande,  and  all  the  towns  and  provinces  which  you  may  have  tcinqucred 
before  that  time.  In  the  event  of  such  being  the  plan  of  operations,  your 
opinion  is  desired,  what  increased  force,  if  any,  will  be.  required  to  carry  it 
out  with  success.    We  learn  that  the  army  could  be  (lisoml)arked  a  few 


APPENDIX. 


496 


miles  distant  from  Vera  Cruz,  and  readily  invest  the  town  in  its  rear,  with- 
out coming  within  the  range  of  the  guns  of  tiie  fortress  of  Snn  Juan  d' 
Ulloa.  The  town  could  be  readily  taken  by  land,  while  the  fortress,  being 
invested  by  land  and  sea,  and  all  communication  cut  off,  must  soon  fall. 
From  Vera  Cruz  to  the  city  of  Mexico  there  is  a  fine  road,  upon  which 
the  diligences  or  stage  coaches  run  daily.  The  distance  from  Vera  Cruz 
to  ti.e  city  of  Mexico  is  not  more  than  one-third  of  that  from  the  Rio 
Grande  to  the  city  of  Mexico." 

The  subject  was  again  brought  into  view  on  the  1 3th  of  October,  in 
the  same  year,  and  more  particularly  on  the  22d  of  October,  in  letters  ad- 
dressed to  General  Taylor.  At  the  last  date,  the  plan  had  been  so  far 
matured  that  several  officers  of  the  staff  and  line  were  indicated  for  that 
service.  This  was  nearly  a  month  before  it  was  determined  to  employ  you 
with  the  army  in  any  part  of  Mexico. 

It  was  never  contemplated  here  to  strike  at  the  city  of  Jlexico  from 
the  line  occupiccl  by  General  Taylor,  or  through  any  other,  except  that 
from  Vera  Cruz.  If  the  war  was  to  be  pushed  to  that  extent,  it  required 
no  elaborate  demonstration,  no  profound  military  talent,  nothing  more 
than  common  sagacity  and  very  slight  reflection  on  the  subject,  to  see  the 
propriety  and  the  necessity  of  making  Vera  Cruz  the  base  of  military  ope- 
rations. 

An  alleged  deficiency  of  means  co  transport  the  troops  in  the  expedi- 
tion to  Vera  Cruz  seems  to  be  most  prominently  presented,  and  most  con- 
fidently relied  on,  to  sustain  your  charge  against  tlie  War  Department  for 
neglecting  this  branch  of  its  duties.  I  issued,  it  seems  to  be  admitted,  the 
proper  order,  so  far  as  the  means  of  transportation  were  to  be  drawn  from 
the  north  ;  but  the  allegation  is  that  it  was  issued  too  late,  and  was  never 
executed.  It  was  issued  at  least  four  days  before  you  arrived  at  New- 
Orleans,  on  your  way  to  the  army.  If  promptly  executed,  it  was  a  reas- 
onable calculation  that  the  "  ten  vessels,"  alluded  to  in  your  letter,  would 
have  arrived  in  season  to  receive  the  troops,  as  soon  as  you  could  collect 
them  from  their  remote  and  scattered  positions  in  the  interior  of  Mexico, 
bring  Ihem  to  the  sea-coast,  and  prepare  for  their  embarkation.  Whether 
an  order  for  ships  to  be  sent  out  in  ballast,  issued  the  15th  of  December, 
was  or  was  not  in  season  for  the  service  they  were  designed  for,  depends 
upon  the  time  when  the  expedition  could  be  got  ready  to  sail.  To  deter- 
mine this,  a  regard  must  be  paid  to  what  you  required  to  be  done  prepara- 
tory to  the  expedition,  rather  than  what  you  may  have  said  on  that  subject. 

A  reference  to  two  or  three  of  your  requisitions  will  show  that  no  ra- 
tional hope  could  be  entertained  that  the  expedition  would  set  forth  before 
the  middle  or  the  last  of  February.  You  required,  as  one  itrin  of  the 
jutfit,  one  hundred  and  forty  surf  boats — all  to  be  constructed  aller  you 
left  Washington.    Though  the  department  urged  a  less  number,  you  in- 


^^^ 


N 


trV- 


496 


APPENDIX. 


listed  on  all.  You  estimated  tlie  expense  of  each  at  $200,  and  thought, 
by  putting  the  principal  ship-yards  on  the  Atlantic  coast  in  requisition, 
they  might  be  constructed  by  tiio  first  of  January.  To  show  what  reli- 
ance v.as  to  be  placed  on  your  calculation,  I  refer  to  the  fact,  that  though 
due  regard  to  economy  was  had  in  procuring  these  boats,  each  cost  on  an 
average  $950 — nearly  fivefold  your  estimate.  Conceding  that  you  erred 
much  less  as  to  the  time  williin  which  they  could  be  constructed — nay, 
more,  admitting  thoy  could  have  been  ready  by  the  first  of  January,  and 
sooner  you  did  not  expect  they  could  be  made — by  no  reasonable  calcula* 
tion  could  they  have  reached  the  coast  of  Mexico  before  the  first  of  Febru- 
ary. The  expedition  could  not  go  forth  without  them.  In  your  letter  to 
me,  dated  the  28th  of  February,  off  Lobos,  you  state  tliat  but  a  small  part 
of  the  transports  engaged  at  New-Orleans,  under  your  orders  of  ihe  28th 
December,  had  arrived,  and  "  not  one  of  the  ten  ordered  by  your  memo- 
randum of  the  ir'i  of  that  month,  am/ Me  wholewere  dueal  the  Brazos  on 
the  1 5//i  of  Janut.  y."  Having  thus  shown,  by  your  own  opinion,  that,  un- 
der my  order,  "  the  ten  vessels"  ;.uglit  to  have  been  at  the  Brazos  at  least 
fifteen  days  before  the  expedition  could  have  been  ready  to  sail,  I  have  vindica- 
ted myself  from  the  charge  of  having  neglectud  my  duty,  by  not  issuing 
that  order  at  an  earlier  date.  If  issued  earlier,  it  would  have  involved  a 
largely  increased  expenditure  for  demurrage,  and  resulted  in  no  public 
benefit. 

But  the  graver  part  of  this  charge  is,  that  none  of  these  "  ten  vessels" 
ever  arrived.  "  Relying,"  you  soy,  in  the  letter  now  under  consideration, 
'•  upon  them  [the  ten  vessels]  confidently,  the  embarkation  was  delayed, 
in  the  whole,  or  in  part,  at  the  Brazos  and  Tampico,  from  the  16th  of  Janu- 
ary to  the  9th  of  March,  leaving,  it  was  feared,  not  half  the  time  needed 
for  the  reduction  of  Vera  Cruz  and  its  castle,  before  the  return  of  the  yel- 
low fever,"  To  whomsoever  the  calamitous  consequences  of  the  non- 
arrival  of  these  "  ten  vessels"  and  your  '■  cruel  disappointment"  in  rela- 
tion to  them  are  imputable,  he  has  certainly  involved  himself  in  a  serious 
responsibility.  I  hope  to  remove  the  whole  of  it  from  "  the  head  of  the 
War  Department,"  and  entertain  some  apprehensions  that  it  will  fall,  in 
part,  upon  the  commanding  general  of  the  expedition. 

The  execution  of  the  most  difficult  branch  of  duties  appertaining  to  a 
military  expedition — providing  for  transportation — is  by  the  distribution  of 
the  busmess  of  the  War  Department  allotted  to  the  quartermaster  general. 
As  an  expedition  against  Vera  Cruz  had  been  resolved  on  some  time  before 
you  were  assigned  to  ti'.ie  command  of  it.  General  Jesup  had  gone  to 
New-Orleans  to  be  in  the  best  position  to  make  the  necessary  preparations 
for  such  an  enterprise.  From  his  great  knowledf;e,  and  long  experience  in 
military  affairs,  not  only  in  his  appropriate  department,  but  as  a  comuiander 
in  the  .field,  the  government  thought  it  fortunate  that  you  could  have  the 
advice  and  assisiance  of  so  able  a  counsellor. 


APP  ENDIX. 


497 


I  in 


Your  suggestion  that  it  might  be  necessary  to  send  ships  in  ballast 
from  the  north,  for  trunsprts,  was  not  neglected  or  unheeded  by  me. 
Whether  i^  would  be  necessary,  or  not,  depended,  according  to  your  state- 
ment to  me,  upon  the  means  of  transportation  which  could  be  procured  at 
New-Orleans,  &c.  My  first  step  was,  to  write  to  the  quartermaster  gene- 
ral, then  at  that  place,  for  information  on  that  subject.  In  my  letter  to  him 
of  nth  of  December,  I  said  :  "  It  is  expected  that  most  of  the  vessels  in 
the  service  of  the  quartermaster's  department  can  be  used  as  transports  for 
the  expedition.  It  will  be  necessary  thnt  the  department  here  should 
know  what  portion  of  the  transportation  can  be  furnished  by  the  ordinary 
means  which  the  quartermaster's  department  has  now  under  its  control  for 
the  purposes  of  its  expedition.  I  have  to  request  that  information  on  tills 
point  should  be  furnished  without  delay. 

"  Another  point  upon  which  the  department  desires  information  is, 
what  amount  of  means  of  transportation,  for  such  an  expedition,  can  be 
furnished  at  New-Orleans,  Mobile,  and  in  that  quarter. 

"  The  expense  of  procuring  transports  from  the  Atlantic  cities  will  be 
exorbitant.  Freights  are  very  high,  and  most  of  the  good  vessels  are  en- 
gaged for  the  ordinary  purposes  of  commerce." 

It  is  important  to  bear  in  mind  that  you  saw  this  letter,  on  your  first  ar- 
rival at  New-Orleans.  In  writing  to  me  from  that  place,  December  21st, 
you  observe,  "  I  have  seen  your  letter  (in  the  hands  of  Lieutenant  Cokmel 
Hunt)  to  the  quartermaster  general,  dated  the  11th."  You  could  not  mis- 
take its  object,  because  it  was  clearly  expressed.  I  asked  distinctly  what 
means  of  transportations  for  the  expedition  can  be  furnished  at  New-Or- 
leans, &c.,  and  referred  to  the  expense  and  difficulty  of  procuring  trans- 
ports from  the  Atlantic  cities.  You  could  not,  therefore,  but  know  that 
my  course,  as  to  sending  ships  in  ballast  from  the  north,  would  be  regula- 
ted by  the  quartermaster  general's  reply.  While  waiting  for  this  informa- 
tion, and  in  order  to  prevent  delay,  and  be  sure  not  to  deserve  the  imputa- 
tion you  now  cast  upon  me,  I  issued  the  order  of  the  15th  of  December, 
to  which  you  refer,  knowing  thai  it  could  be  modified  and  conformed  to 
the  exigencies  of  the  service,  according  to  the  answer  which  I  should  re- 
ceive from  General  Jesup.  His  reply  is  dated  the  27th  of  December,  and 
in  it  lie  says  : 

"  Trnnnportalion  can  be  provided  here,  fnr  all  the  trnops  that  may  he 
drawn  from  the  army  under  the  command  of  General  Taylor,  and  for  all 
the  ordnance,  ordnance  stores,  and  other  supplies,  which  nxiy  be  drawn 
either  from  this  depot,  [the  Brazos,]  or  from  New-Orleons.  The  public 
tronsports,  I  mean  those  owned  by  the  United  States,  thot  can  he  spared 
for  the  contemplated  operations,  it  is  estimated,  will  carry  three  thousand 
men,  with  all  their  supplies.  Vesxeh  can  he  chartered  here,  on  farornble 
terms,  for  any  additional  transportation  that  may  he  required"  This  letter 
32 


a:*» 


APPENDIX. 


ftm  ^ifemltted  to,  and  read  by,  you,  as  appears  from  your  endorsement 
idWiwr .  After  referring  to  some  other  matters  in  tlie  letter,  you  conclude 
}!•.(«•  (^1  irior-iement  as  follows :  "  I  recommend  that  Brevet  Major  General 
jU«ii-1V's  '"iiffjfestions  be  adopted."  This  fact  shows  that  the  letter  received 
/(VMf  pftTticnIar  attention. 

When  this  letter,  which  you  knew  was  forwarded  to  the  department, 
»*»  h«»r«  received,  showing  that  your  apprehended  difficulty  in  obtaining 
*iMfi<'.i<»nf,  transportation  at  the  south  was  unfounded,  and  that  it  could  be 
l>ivA>lH<»(i  in  that  quarter  in  great  abundance  on  favorable  terms,  my  order 
14^  fhe  l.'Sth  of  December,  so  far,  and  only  so  far,  as  it  related  to  sending 
(««!  *ft)«<wi«  in  ball-  .it,  was  countermanded.  It  is  strange,  indeed,  that,  after 
ffAV  ■»Mf  made  acquainted  with  the  object  of  my  inquiries  and  General 
.jUjiiV])!-*  Ifittpr  in  reply  to  them,  you  should  have  l'K)ked  for  transport  ves- 
MlW  Hi  bnllast  from  the  Atlantic  cities ;  and,  still  more  strange,  that  their 
AWtti-awival  xhnuld  be  the  proof  you  rely  on  to  convict  me  of  having  neg- 
Aw)t#t{  my  duty  m  this  instance.  If,  in  truth,  you  delayed  the  expedition 
iU*»<<ly  fwo  months  for  these  transports,  I  am  blameless  ;  tlie  responsibility 
itt  kiv^norher  quarter.  It  cannot  be  said  that  this  statement,  as  to  the  sutS- 
(^i>ni*.y  cif  tran^iports  to  be  obtained  at  the  south,  had  an  implied  reference 
itv  \»lmt  f  had  ordered  from  the  Atlantic  cities ;  for  my  order  was  then  un- 
JkrMvwivCo  yourself  and  the  quartermaster  general.  You  first  received  a 
*'.l»y  c>(  if.  several  days  after  the  date  of  General  Jesup's  letter  to  me,  and 
iMf  yi->nr  ftridorsement  thereon.  [See  your  letter  to  me  of  the  12th  of 
Ji«>n«ry.  |  Resisted,  as  you  were,  by  "  head  winds,"  enveloped  in  "  fright- 
llivl-  rtorthers,''  and  oppressed  with  complicated  and  perplexing  duties  in 
*w*rta1n<r  and  preparing  the  expedition  against  Vera  Cruz,  some  tempo 
mcy  lv>wilderment  may  be  excused ;  but  to  charge  the  War  Department 
OAvrh*  your  own  misapprehensions  and  mistakes  is  inexcusable. 

My  rftply  to  your  accusations  forces  me  to  expose  some  of  your  mis- 
.*ftt<v>mftnts  of  fact.  You  allege  that  the  expedition,  for  the  want  of  the 
*l)«V  «<»i^»els,"  was  delayed  from  the  Ibth  of  January  to  the  9th  of  )Iarch. 
Vf.n>  certainly  mean  to  be  understood  that,  on  the  16th  of  January,  your 
te<ic(>R  \v(»r.>  ready  to  embark,  and  were  delayed  for  want  of  these  trans- 
^vf*  -,:  lint  this  was  not  so,  and  I  am  indebted  to  you  for  most  abundant 
yr^>r,(  fo  pstahlish  your  inaccuracy.  The  great  body  of  your  troops,  for 
lBi<».  r»5f(><>dirion,  was  drawn  from  General  Taylor's  command  at  Monterey, 
*Arti  M  fhe  interior  of  Mexico,  and  no  part  of  them  had  reached  either  the 
Hi^Mtivt  nr  Tarn  pico,  the  points  of  embarkation,  on  the  16th  of  January. 
Ia>  ycMir  letter  of  the  lath  of  that  month,  to  General  Brooke,  at  New-Or- 
Ika  V.  you  said  :  "  I  have  now  to  state  that  it  is  probable  the  troops  I  have 
«»4J<*rf  frrt"  from  General  Taylor's  immediate  command,  to  embark  here 
llchi*  Pfrawwl  and  at  Tampico,  will  not  reach  cliese  points  till  Inte  in  the 
^ftmtnC  month,  [January,]  say  about  tlie  26th."    In  a  letter  to  me,  of  the 


APPENDIX. 


499 


S6th  of  January,  you  remark  that  GeneraJ  liiitW  rfnpr>nded  to  yonr  call 
for  the  troops  with  the  utmoxt  prompti'.udi.',  urid  lliat  General  Worth  made 
an  admirable  movement :  "  the  head  of  hi*  di^Wit/n  arrived  with  him  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande  the  day  before  y««tefday,"  [ii4lh  January.] 
When  the  remainder  came  up,  in  not  kU^M  ;  y«jt  wte  of  your  "  naked  his- 
torical facts"  places  Ihe  whole  C4>iiimand  at  t)i«  p'nntii  of  etnbnrkaiion, 
wailing  for  the  "  ten  vessels"  at  leat>t  niwiday*  l«ef(/re  the  actual  arrival  of 
any  part  of  them.  But,  if  they  l»ad  he**  tJK?re,  why  fdiould  they  have 
been  detained  for  these  vessels  ?  In  tite  >-am«  UtUttr,  written  but  two  days 
after  the  arrival  of  the  head  of  the  firist  divi^iim,  »nd  (>rol»bly  before  the 
other  troops  had  come  up,  you  say  :  "  tliat  tljc  nimtij;rin»nU;T  general.  Bre- 
vet Major  General  Jesup,  at  New-Orleanit,  I  firid,  tuw  t»k<;n  all  proper  mea- 
sure?, with  judgment  and  promptitude,  tx>  pr>istiit:  e'very  thmg  depending 
on  his  department  for  the  dispatch  and  inxKi-j»t*  of  rny  cxpcditirm."  If 
more  was  wanted,  cumulative  proof  cnif^lit  \m  drawn  frrxn  tlie  same  source 
—your  own  correspondence — U)  hhow,  wA.  tm\y  tliat  thin  charge  against 
me  has  no  foundation  in  truth,  but  Uiat  you  c«n  liave  no  apology  for  having 
preferred  it. 

After  showing  how  unfortunote  you  liave  bwn  in  your  specific  charges, 
I  may,  with  propriety,  meet  those  of  a  gnimn\  and  sweeping  character 
with  a  less  particular  detail  of  pr(jofi«  to  hlfnv  i\mt  groomllexjtneiis. 

Though  the  "  ten  vessels"  were  mA,  fur  tiitt  very  xiifficicnt  reasons  I 
have  assigned,  sent  out  in  ballast  fn^n  tiie  MhuAit:  citieti,  yet  a  very  largo 
number  were  sent  thence  with  stores,  mnnAmo,  »ml  Irattfrn  to  cfM)pcrate 
in  the  expedition.  In  General  Jesup's  k-tter  Ui  fr«r,  of  tlic  nth  instant,  a 
copy  of  which  is  sent  herewith,  he  staiex  tlwit  firty-Oiree  nhips,  barques, 
b  'gs,  and  schooners,  were  sent  from  the  iKMth,  »r«)  tlr*r  depjirttnent  actu- 
ally furnished  at  New-Orleans,  Brazo*,  and  Tufipirj),  for  the  army,  before 
it  took  up  the  line  of  march  into  the  interior,  •nit!  hundred  and  sixty-three 
vessels, 

1  have  alluded  to  the  large  number  of  nurfAineilM,  and  the  great  difR- 
culty  of  procuring  them,  as  the  cause  of  tl<e  <t<fl«y  in  their  arrival.  I 
have,  also,  a  similar  reason  to  offer  in  reply  tit  yimr  cjwiplaint  for  not  hav- 
ing seasonably  received  the  siege-tnin  and  tiniiuuMi  nuftpUfn,  The  delay 
is  to  be  ascribed  to  the  enormously  larj^e  outfit  yoij  reqnirert.  If  it  was 
necessary,  and  dispatch  was  used  in  pnxiuniig  it,  fK»  one  i.<i  in  fault ;  if  t(X) 
large,  you  certainly  should  not  regard,  at  a  rufiri-iif-mMe  delay,  the  time 
necessarily  taken  up  in  preparing  it.  To  »Ik/w  tliat  it  watt  large,  .nnd  re- 
quired much  time  to  prepare  it,  I  will  w;l«<;t  from  many,  a  sinirlo  item. 
You  demanded  from  eighty  to  one  hundre<i  tltonoowl  ten-inch  (•helU.  ijnd 
forty  or  fifty  mortars  of  like  calibre.  Tbiit  fn/inimun  r|finnlity  of  ^||(.1|«_ 
about  four  thousand  tons — wan  iiioi'tly  tit  l»e  nianfifaHrired  after  ynii  left 
Washington.     All  the  furnaces  i«   '!«!  couiilry,  willing  (o  engage  in  the 


500 


APPENDIX. 


buHines!!,  were  set  to  work ;  but,  with  the  utm'wt  (Mliffm^  unt\  flinpatrh, 
the  supply  of  this  one  article,  or  even  two-third-'  of  it,  h«vi(it;  ''>  tc  miinn- 
factiircd  and  transported  to  the  seaboard  from  titi!  tiirmi'^'ji,  (iiH-nU-il,  in 
inoHt  instances,  in  the  interior  of  the  country,)  at  it  mtnum  of  lUe  year 
wlion  water  communications  were  obstructed  by  Uut,  vjiiM  vA  \if.  wni\y 
to  Ik!  sent  forward  to  you  in  many  months  afi<;r  your  Ai'\mt\»Ti'  from 
WaMliiiifjton.  Had  your  requisitions  been  wiAutnUt,  Htti\,  uwhiuUaWy, 
more  moderate  ones  would  have  sufficed,  they  cjuld  luivii  Umt  ffirriixhcd 
at  a  much  earlier  period. 

The  memorandum  which  you  left  "  for  the  mufAtHlu  mu\  ntMnnnWum 
therefor,"  was  submitted  to  me  by  the  ordnutuu- dcimrtiiM-oi  im  lh<r*20th  of 
November,  with  an  intimotion  that  it  could  not  Iv;  fj)m\Aii'A  with  In  wiinon 
for  the  expedition  to  go  forward  as  early  as  you  hud  iumUnu\i\nUti\,  I  nn- 
dorsf^d  upon  it,  "  cimiply  with  the  above,  a*  far  ai  iiriu;fv-/ili'f ;"  nnd  this 
order,  I  am  satisfied,  after  full  examination,  was  fuithliilly  i'xi^rtiltii, 

What  could  be  done  at  Washington,  was  doM«  |/r<Mii|/tly,  Vo»i  had 
with  you  the  quartermaster  general,  with  all  the  riu^uitit  at  lint  m«rifnnnd  of 
the  War  Department,  and  with  unrestricted  authority  Ut  d/t  wha)<rvrrr  yoo 
mi({ht  require.  He  was  under  your  supervixion,  and  miii^-t't  Ui  your  order»i, 
able  and  willing  to  execute  them  ;  and  you  have  icver  uriiiimlM  fhtit  he, 
ill  any  respect,  failed  in  his  duty,  but  on  the  contrary,  you  h«v«r  x^tokf-n  m 
hij{hly  commendatory  terms  of  his  efficient  servicen,  I  h»v<'  nUtwiy  quo- 
ted your  ocknowledgment  that  he  had  "  tukfii  all  projX'r  »(«'»iiiir»'>i,  with 
judgment  and  promptitude,  to  provide  every  thin;;  d(>|K'ii/itii{;  im  hi«  d'-pnrt- 
ment  for  the  dispatch  and  success  of  your  ex(M'dition,"  In  nfi  in*»f  of 
fact  lietween  you  and  the  head  of  the  War  I ><'()« riiufiit,  hit  fi'Mirnony, 
next  to  your  own  confessions,  is  the  t)e«t  that  can  lie  iiffffA  In  fiirtpri  your 
misHfatements,  and  to  refute  your  charges.  In  IiIh  Irtt/T  Ui  mi  of  llif  'id 
of  January,  1847,  he  says  ;  "  General  Scott  left  for  f  h«  iii</?rJor  o»»  »h«!  2!Hh 
ultimo,  and  I  om  taking  active  measures  to  have  every  (hini;  d''(if'nding 
upon  me  ready  for  his  operations.  The  quart/'rii)a»li»r'«  d<-|inrf merit,  I 
find,  is  called  upon  to  do  a  great  deal  that  should  l>e  done  ity  iMii-r  hrnncheii 
of  the  staff  So  far  as  General  Scott's  operations  go,  I  khall  have  fsi-rj 
thing  done  that  is  necessary,  whether  it  belongs  t<i  my  Ai^mrituitfi  or  to 
other  departments  to  do  it."  You  had  with  you,  and  Kuhj^rt  to  your  or- 
ders, not  only  the  quartermaster  general,  but  offiwm  of  tli**  iM»:r  nt'ifT  rle- 
partinniis.  They  did  not  look  to  the  War  I)i'|mrli(i/'f»»,  but  (o  yourself, 
for  directions ;  and  it  was  your  duty,  and  not  mill",  Ui  mi'  (haf  your  re- 
quirements were  complied  with.  That  they  were  m,  tn  t((/<  ufrri'nf  prac- 
tirable  extent,  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt ;  but,  if  they  wi'ftt  not,  (he  fault, 
if  any,  is  not  with  the  War  Departrnfiif.  You  hIi-o  gav"  (he  ionlrii'-tiofls 
in  reliilion  to  providing  tlie  means  of  bind  traiixiKirtalii/ii,  nod  lli/'  iifTtri-rn 
charged  with  that  duty  wore  under  your  immediuii;  (vintrol ;  and,  if  there 


A  1'  I'  K  N  D  I  X . 


601 


I 

\ii'n 
•ry 
to 
or- 
rln- 

■•.rlf, 
rB- 

unit, 
ifWId 

hffe 


is  blame  any  wliere  for  any  ili'tir:i(!tii-y  in  thifi  rcHpect,  it  cannot  be  imputed 
to  tiie  War  Dcpurtiiiunt.  Voiir  wtioic  corrcKiMindence  with  me,  and  the 
stuff  ofRccrH  with  yon,  Khowi*  llmt  yon  very  properly  look  upon  yourself 
the  who'  charge  of  jfiviriK  dir(!cti<inH  in  thin  nuittcr.  In  a  letter  to  Cup- 
tain  h  '  .1,  senior  r|uart<.'rniu«t/!r  iit  the  l)rfl/.oii,  Hpcaking  on  the  subject  of 
the  land  tranH|)ortution  which  may  tx;  nwrdrd  after  the  descent  on  the  ene- 
my's coast,  nnur  Vera  On/,,  yon  nay;  '■  I  have  already  discussed  and  ar- 
run;i;ed  witli  you  the  detiiil  o(  lln!  rarlyhiul  transportation  train,"  &c.  On 
tiic  19th  of  March  you  furniolied  (ieneral  Jesup  with  your  estimates  and 
directions  on  this  subject,  'I'li/t  stiifT  oflicers  lx!ing  with  you,  and  under 
your  orders,  nothin);  further  wa*,  or  projierly  could  l.'C,  required  or  ex- 
pected to  emanate  from  WaNhiiiKtiin  l«yond  the  supply  of  funds ;  and 
this  being  done,  if  you  were  diwip|N>inli!d  in  not  realizing  your  expecta- 
tions, you  have  not  a  colorahhi  pret<'nc«  for  imputing  blame  to  "  the  head 
of  the  War  Department," 

As  a  ground  of  complttint,  and  a  mnUjnr  of  accusation,  you  refer  to 
your  deficiency  of  means  to  mnkr!  the  descent,  and  to  capture  the  city  of 
Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle  of  Han  Juan  d'  Ulloa,  and  aasutne  that  the  ex- 
tent of  that  deficiency  was  tlm  diirrtrenco  lictwcen  what  you  received  and 
what  you  required.  It  would  be  (|uili!  as  correct  reasoning  to  say  that 
what  you  had  having  provfid  suflicienl  for  the  purpose,  the  difference 
showed  the  extent  of  the  crrori  In  your  estimates.  The  truth  lies,  per- 
haps, between  the  two  extremes.  You  hod  less,  probably,  than  you  should 
have  had,  and  you  required  inucli  more  than  was  necessary.  That  you 
did  not  have  more,  and,  indeed,  all  you  asked  for,  I  have  already  shown, 
was  not  the  fault  of  the  War  DeiMrtrnent. 

General  Jesup  wa8  with  you  at  Vera  ('ruz.sAW  your  means,  and  is  ca- 
pable of  forming  an  estimate  of  their  siifTiciency.  He  is,  as  his  letter 
herewith  shows,  disposed  to  lx«  just,  and  even  generous  to  your  fame.  To 
his  opinion  on  the  subject,  no  well-founded  exception  can  be  taken.  He 
says,  in  reference  to  your  complaints  on  account  of  n  deficient  supply  of 
surf  boats,  siege  train,  and  ordnance  stores,  "  the  result  shows  that  he 
[General  ScottJ  had  surf  Ixsits  and  sl/ircs  enough  ;"  and  of  the  delay  of 
which  you  complain,  he  fully  exorierat<!S  the  War  Department,  and  as- 
cribes the  whole  to  yourst'lf  and  to  unavoidable  accidents. 

The  imputation  tluit  you  were  dfninwAlij  crippled  in  your  means,  is  a 
charge  as  preposterous  as  it  is  unfounded. 

I  am  aware  that  the  execution  of  some  of  the  many  arrangements  for 
the  Vera  Cruz  expedition  was  otwtructed  and  delayed  by  accidents  ;  but 
they  were  such  as  hinnan  sagacity  could  not  foresee,  or  human  agency 
comrol.  They  wen;  not,  howevt'r,  miirn  than  a  considerate  mind,  bring- 
ing into  view  all  the  vast  diiriculties  of  the  case,  would  have  expected. 
When  your  complaints  on  this  subject  were  Irst  received  here,  evincing, 


502 


APPENDIX. 


M  ttiey  did,  that  you  intended  to  hold  the  departtnetit  re»j<r>Misi*^r  ff/f  *vtrry 
nnfdwnrd  event,  ihe  heads  of  the  neverai  bureaun  wm  fji\U<4>m  iff  Nt^.  to 
•how  how  they  iiad  executed  the  duties  which  iiad  Ui*-!)  i-/H4t4*4  Ut  lh»n, 
pBftir.iilnrly  in  regard  to  matters  referred  U>  by  yoo.  Tim  kVi^titf^  ti,*rf 
presented  of  having  done  all  that  was  required,  or  a>u\4  l«»v*  iixtnt  trxf^^^ 
wl,  convinced  me,  and  I  venture  to  say  that,  on  a  full  ftjumtiitltnn,  H,  »)W 
nafidfy  any  mind  open  to  conviction,  that  all  your  CAHiiyWufM,  mttiifim  Oi*y 
im(iulnd  blame  to  the  War  Department,  or  any  </  it*  i/fiuihii^,  ntn  nir 
founded.  It  will  do  much  more — it  will  kIiow  that  grtNtf  nAtMfy^ytMfi^ 
fieox,  uncommon  capacity,  and  extraordinary  exertion*,  in  f*i»«y«  tn  Mittrf 
thing  connected  with  the  war,  have  characteriwid  iim  m:»'u/»t  «A  *r)t*'\t  *A 
these  «ulH)rdinnte  departments.  As  a  coinrnendati'yii  jorfjjr  u^^t^  hjr 
these  several  brancliPM  of  the  department,  atfsajlwj,  «us  (Jicy  ♦a*,  Mifft^tj 
by  you,  I  see  no  good  reason  for  withholding  my  t>[iiwm,  *i)Mt  *it  nt^Htyf/H 
cannot  be  found  where  so  much  has  been  done,  aitd  wdJ  4>H¥<,  )u  ti  i^tft 
a  time,  by  any  similar  body  of  officers,  under  Mitnihir  vArfMuti4M44f**, 

As  you  have,  by  implication,  laid  a  heavy  Jwnd  upon  tint  ^■/•tffmH  wfw^h 
i»  charged  with  the  onerous  duties  of  executing  tJie  l»w«  luA  iitAt^t  \tit 
raising  and  sending  forward  the  recruits  and  levied,  i  W  UintA  *ii  nlhrm 
that  you  have  done  to  that  branch  of  the  public  wrvic*  U*»?  %ft^f^  mpm- 
tice.  No  industry  has  been  spared,  no  poHfible  effort  i)un>h<4  «//  f*^  thti 
f(/rccs  which  were  authoriKed,  and  to  send  tiiera  U)  tljeir  ^t^MiM«f)»  fnnhtn 
the  briefest  practicable  period.  The  numerous  order*  -.tttiM  tfi/fu  tiif  «J- 
jiit/int's  general's  office,  and  its  voluminous  corre»pi>i*de»it*  tm  tiM  ntti^^ 
will  sustain  this  assertion. 

Yf)u  have  pressed  with  unwonted  zeal  the  charge  to  ftinti^m  t/»  SntttU 
Ing  the  detachments  of  tlte  new  regiment*  uiKk-r  (immni  C^'/ntititUrf'n 
command  to  the  Brazos,  and  have  indulged  in  ti»e  wil4<-»«  «^A#!Vi/;f»B  m 
to  the  sad  consequences  which  attended  thic  imput«d  «ff'/f-  A«i*miir»j{ 
that  my  orders  diverted  these  troops,  or  any  ollier«i,  (uii  mtn^itm  »fn/:h  f 
nhnll  controvert  hereafter,)  the  circumstan'-eg  juutifH  *m  utttiumfi'.,  'f)m 
critiral  condition  of  General  Tayloi ,  according  to  «JJ  luuf/tHtit*  iffjtvipA 
here  at  that  time,  is  stated  in  my  letter  to  you  of  \\m  tM  tA  M*ff.h,  To 
•how  that  the  department  acted  properly,  thougtt  it  iu4Mirr<M<  j'/»f  iK^f^A, 
it  is  necessary  to  recall  the  facts  as  they  tlien  appewed  Smx,  'tlt^  nn 
presented  in  the  following  extract  from  that  letter  : 

"  The  information  which  has  just  reached  uu,  in  tl*e  *Am^  tA  fMtiftrn, 
an  ti)  the  situation  of  General  Taylor  and  tJ«e  fore**  uu4U-f  tm  ^-f/mtf^tAf 
has  excited  the  most  painful  apprehensions  for  U»eir  iwfety.  It  ii*  MtmM  Mrr- 
tain  that  Santa  Anna  has  precipitated  the  large  army  \m  im4  f^'^MnA  mt 
Han  liUis  de  Potosi  upon  General  Taylor,  and  it  luay  \iit  tintt  »m  fpt^til 
has  not  been  able  to  maintain  the  advanced  potsitii^i  iitt  M  t**^i  U  Ut  f»(r« 
•t  Agua  Nueva,  but  hioa  been  obliged  to  fall  ha^k  m  HtfUtM^,    h  m 


APPENDIX, 


503 


equally  certain  that  a  Mexican  force  had  been  interpo«»d  between  Monterey 
and  tlie  Rio  Grande,  and  that  It  ha*  interrupted  the  line  of  communication 
between  the  two  placex,  and  Kcizcd  large  iiuppiieii  which  were  on  the  way 
to  General  Taylor'»  army. 

"  If  the  hostile  force  between  tlie  Rio  Grande  and  General  Taylor's 
army  is  as  large  as  reports  represent  it,  our  troops  now  on  that  river  irmy 
not  be  able  to  re-establish  the  line,  nor  will  it,  perhaps,  be  possible  to  place 
a  force  there  sufficient  for  the  purpose,  in  time  to  prevent  disastrous  con- 
sequences to  our  army,  unless  aid  can  be  afforded  from  the  troops  under 
your  immediate  command. 

"  From  one  to  two  thousand  of  the  new  recruits  for  the  ten  regiments, 
from  this  quarter,  will  be  on  the  way  to  the  Bre/zw,  in  the  course  of  three 
or  four  days.  All  the  other  forces  will  be  directed  tf)  that  point,  and  every 
effort  made  to  relieve  General  Taylor  from  his  critical  situation.  You 
will  have  been  fully  apprised,  l)rlore  this  can  reach  you,  of  the  condition 
of  things  in  the  valley  of  the  Rio  (>randc,  and  at  the  head-quarters  of  Ge- 
neral Taylor,  and  have  taiten,  1  trust,  such  measures  as  the  importance  of 
the  subject  requires.  I  need  not  ur|;e  upon  yon  the  fatal  consequences 
which  would  result  from  any  serious  disaster  which  might  befall  the  army 
under  General  Taylor,  nor  do  I  douU  that  you  will  do  what  is  in  your 
power  to  avert  such  a  calamity," 

The  course  pursued  by  the  War  Department  on  that  occasion,  which 
you  convert  into  a  charge,  must,  on  revision,  I  think,  commend  itself  to 
general  approbation.  Had  it  been  indifferent  to  the  alarming  condition  of 
General  Taylor's  army,  and  fortiome  to  use,  at  the  earliest  moment,  the 
most  energetic  measures  to  guard  against  the  fatal  consequences  of  its 
defeat,  then  too  probable,  it  would  have  deserved  an  arraignment  as  severe 
as  that  which  you  have  made  against  it,  for  having  done  its  duty  in  that 
critical  emergency.  When  you  firirt  received  the  reasons  assigned  for  the 
course  adopted  here,  they  appear  to  have  been  satinfactory.  In  your  dis- 
patch of  the  28th  of  April,  you  say  :  "  Yesterday  I  learned  by  your  letter 
of  the  22d,  and  the  adjutant  general's  of  the  26th  ultimo,  that  all  the  re- 
cruits of  the  regiments,  some  3,000,  raised,  or  likely  to  be  raised  in  time 
for  this  army,  have  been  ordered  to  tlic  Rio  Grande."  You  did  not  then 
intimate  the  slightest  dissatisfaction,  not  even  a  premonitory  symptom  of 
that  deep  distress  with  which,  instantly  on  Mr.  Trist's  arrival  in  Mexico, 
you  represent  yourself  to  have  been  seized.  It  is  a  coincidence,  not  un- 
worthy of  notice,  that  the  letter  containing  your  first  condemnatory  re- 
mark on  this  subject,  was  written  on  the  day  of  the  date  of  Mr.  Trist's 
«no»p  to  you,  and  only  the  day  before  your  captious  reply  to  it,  and  in 
you  assail  the  War  Department.  Your  withering  disappointment 
■eems  to  have  slumbered  for  ten  days,  and  then  to  have  been  aroused  by  ^ 
the  appearance  of  Mr.  Trist  in  Mexico,  and  your  quarrel  with  hiin^^f  ^ 


s> 


T 


^>^^ 


i  m-mm». 


^m^w 


504 


APPENDIX. 


the  order  from  the  War  Department  had  in  fact  "  diverted"  the  forces  with 
General  Cadwalader,  "lili  it  was  fully  justified  by  the  threatening  aspect 
of  affairs  on  the  Km  drande;  but  I  am  quite  Hure  that  it  did  not  divert 
them.  No  previous  order  from  the  department  had  designated  any  other 
place  of  rendezvous  than  the  Brazos,  for  the  troops  that  were  to  join  your 
column.  It  was  well  understood,  before  you  left  Washington,  that  all  the 
troops  for  both  armies  were  to  be  sent  to  that  place,  and  there  to  fall  under 
your  command.  This  arrangement  was  not,  nor  was  it  expected  that  it 
would  be,  here  changed,  until  you  had  penetrated  so  far  into  the  enemy's 
country  as  to  render  your  communication  with  that  place  of  general  ren- 
dezvous difficult  and  dilatory. 

You  also  complain  that  the  order  was  not  countermanded.  If  there 
had  been  such  an  order,  and  it  had  been  countermanded,  what  would  have 
been  the  consequences  ?  The  troops  would  have  gone  forward  from  the 
United  States,  under  the  former  orders  of  the  department,  which  would 
have  taken  them  to  the  same  place. 

You  allege  that  "the  news  of  the  victory  of  Buena  Vista  reached 
Washington  in  time  to  countermand  Cadwalader's  orders  for  the  Rio 
Grande,  before  his  departure  from  New-Orleans."  I  notice  this  specifica- 
tion of  neglect  of  duty,  to  show  the  exter.t  to  which  you  have  carried  your 
fault-finding,  and  the  industry  with  which  you  have  searched  for  occasions 
to  indulge  it. 

Your  assumption  is,  that  the  news  of  the  victory  of  Buena  Vista 
should  have  satisfied  the  War  Department  that  Cadwalader's  forces  were 
not  needed  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  the  omission  to  countermand,  as  soon 
as  that  news  was  received,  the  orders  to  send  them  there,  was  a  neglect 
deserving  severe  animadversion.  How  did  you  act  under  similar  circum- 
stances ?  With  better  means  of  information  as  to  the  actual  condition  of 
the  Rio  Grande  frontier  after  the  victory  of  Buena  Vista,  you  did  not  deem 
it  prudent,  after  beinp  forty-one  days  in  possession  of  the  news  of  that 
victory,  to  issue  positive  orders  to  remove  a  single  man  from  that  frontier ; 
yet,  you  venture  tn  censure  me  for  not  having  sent  the  troops  away  the 
momen'  the  news  reached  Washington. 

You  received  information  of  that  victory  on  or  before  the  14th  of 
March,  for  on  that  day  yon  proclaimed  it  in  orders  to  your  army.  On  the 
25th  of  April,  more  than  forty  days  thereafter,  you  issued  an  order  to  the 
commanding  officer  at  the  Brazos,  to  embark  for  Vera  Cruz  "  such  detach- 
ments of  the  new  regiments  as  may  have  been  ordered  by  the  War  De- 
partment to  Point  Isabel ;  but  you  made  it  conditional,  with  reference  to 
the  safety  of  the  line  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  said  to  that  officer  (hat ' 
relied  nptm  his  "  sound  judgment  to  determine  on  the  spot,  whether 
line  would  not  be  too  much  exposed  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops  in 
question."    Thus  it  appears  that  you  do  not  hesitate  to  impute  neglect  of 


t  MB 


APPENDIX. 


606 


•  *♦ 


duty  to  me,  Tor  not  having  adopted  and  acted  on  the  conclusion  that  the  line 
of  the  Rio  Grande  was  safe  tlic  moment  I  heard  of  the  victory  of  Buena 
Viala ;  but,  when  acting  on  the  sume  subject,  you  dared  not  adopt  that  con- 
clusion, although  you  had  been  in  pmueiufion  of  the  Hame  information 
forty-one  days.  Your  own  conduct  in  this  matter  completely  refutes  this 
charge  of  yours  against  the  War  Department ;  it  does  more,  it  shows  how 
rash  niid  incontiiderate  you  have  been  in  selecting  topics  for  attack. 

But  the  most  serious  consoquenceii  are  attributed  to  the  long  delay  of 
these  troopa  at  the  Brazos.  For  your  sake,  I  sincerely  hope  these  conse- 
quences arc  much  exaggerated,  because  I  am  quite  confident  it  will  bo 
shown  that  you  alone  are  responsible  for  tlie  delay.  The  War  Depart- 
ment did  not — and  it  was  proper  tliat  it  should  not — issue  any  order  in  re- 
gard to  the  movement  of  the  troops  after  their  arrival  in  Mexico.  The 
order  from  the  department,  of  the  30th  of  April,  making  a  division  of  the 
new  levies  between  the  two  columns,  does  not  contradict  this  assertion, 
for  these  levies  were  then  mostly  within  the  United  States  ;  only  portions 
of  them  had  then  reached  Mexico.  Until  this  order  took  effect,  the  troops 
at  the  Brazos,  and,  indeed,  on  the  Rio  Gmnde  and  with  General  Taylor, 
were  under  your  entire  and  unrestricted  command.  As  to  this  matter  you 
were  under  no  misapprehension,  fur,  on  \he  25th  of  April,  and  before  you 
were  informed  what  had  been  done  here  to  secure  the  Rio  Grande  line, 
you  issued  an  order  in  relation  to  the  troops  at  the  Brazos.  This  place, 
you  well  knew,  was  the  general  rendezvous  of  the  new  levies  from  the 
United  States ;  and  before  you  trailed  on  your  expedition  to  Vera  Cruz,  you 
were  notified  that  the  Mexican  army  were  advancing  upon  General  Tay- 
lor. To  have  assumed  that  you  had  not  left  at  the  Brazos,  witli  a  view  to 
meet  any  probable  contingency,  orders  for  the  proper  disposition  of  the 
troops  which  were  or  might  be  sent  there,  woald  have  implied  an  opinion 
that  you  wanted  suitable  qualifications  for  the  high  station  whrch  had  been 
assigned  to  you.  These  troops  were  a  part  of  your  command,  and  sub- 
ject to  your  orders ;  and  if  they  remained  one  day  at  the  Brazos  after  it 
was  there  known  that  they  were  not  needed  on  the  Rio  Grande  line,  and 
would  be  serviceable  with  your  column,  the  fault  was  entirely  your  own, 
and  in  no  wise  imputable  to  the  War  Department  If  your  opinion  be  not 
extravagant,  and  you  say  it  is  not,  that,  but  for  the  diversion  of  General 
Cadwalnder's  forces  from  you,  and  the  "  much  precious  time"  lost  at  the 
Brazos,  you  "  might  easily  have  taken  this  city  (Mexico)  in  the  month  of 
June,  and  at  one-fifth  of  the  loss  sustaifted  in  Angnst  and  September," 
you  have,  indeed,  a  most  fearful  account  to  settle  with  your  country. 

I  cannot,  however,  but  regard  your  speculative  opinions  on  this  subject 

^/fanciful  and  wild.     You  greatly  over-estimate  the  forces  which  landed 

at  the  Brazos,  and  subsequently  joined  you.     Frotn  the  best  calculations 

which  can  be  made  from  data  in  the  adjutant  general's  office,  the  num- 


\ 


606 


APPENDIX. 


ber  WBs  much  less  than  you  imngine,  and  did  not  probably  exceed  one 
tboiiHiind.  As  tlio  refutation  of  your  charge  against  tlio  department  for 
diverting  these  troops  is  in  no  wise  impaired  by  llieir  number,  be  it  more 
or  less,  it  is  not  im|iortant  to  inquire  into  that  matter ;  but  there  Is  a  (|ue8- 
tion  of  serious  import,  which  I  think  the  country  will  expect  you  to  an- 
swer. If  these  new  levies,  which  had  just  entered  the  service,  would  have 
enabled  you  to  capture  the  city  of  Mexico  in  June,  with  a  comparatively 
small  loss,  why  did  you  at  the  very  time  you  discovered  that  they  were  so 
much  needed,  and  would  have  been  so  useful,  send  away  from  your  army 
throe  times  as  many  volunteers,  who  had  been  many  months  In  service,  and 
were,  as  you  acknowledge,  "  respectable  in  discipline  and  efficiency,"  and 
who  had  distinguished  themselves  at  Vera  Cruz  and  Cerro  Gordo,  und  in 
the  hour  of  peril  had  fought  by  the  side  of  your  veteran  troops,  and  merited 
an  honorable  share  in  the  glory  of  those  memorable  conflicts  ? 

The  period  of  their  engagement  had  not  expired.  When  thus  sent 
away  but  one  of  the  seven  regiments  had  less  than  thirty,  and  mo.st  of 
them  had  more  than  forty-five  days  to  serve.  According  to  your  own 
opinion,  concurred  in  by  the  department,  they  could  have  been  legally  re- 
tained on  your  line  of  operations  till  the  last  hour  of  their  engagement.  If 
not  deemed  expedient  to  take  them  on  towards  Mexico  with  you,  their  ser- 
vices at  that  critical  period  would  have  been  of  Inestimable  value  in  hold- 
ing the  post  at  Jalapa,  so  Important  and  so  unexpectedly  abandoned,  and 
in  keeping  open  the  communication  between  Vera  Cruz  and  your  head- 
quarteiM,  v.hcreby  supplies,  munitions,  and  recruits  could  be  safely  and 
expediii.'iisly  forwarded  to  you.  Had  this  been  done  you  would  have  been 
spnred  die  trouble  of  Inditing  many  items  of  grievance  and  com[)latnt 
against  the  War  Department,  for  having  failed  to  furnish  them.  If  yovi 
had  retained  the  twelve  months'  volunteers  until  the  end  of  their  agree- 
ment— and  no  sufficient  reason  has  yet  been  shown  for  their  premature 
discharge — you  might,  for  a  season  at  least,  have  received,  without  much 
obstruction,  supplies  from  the  main  dep6t  on  the  Gulf;  the  army  might 
have  been  strengthened  by  reinforcements  at  an  earlier  period,  and  many 
of  the  revolting  scenes  of  barbarity  on  the  road  from  Vera  Cruz  to  Jalapa, 
in  which  so  many  lives  of  our  fellow-citizens  have  been  sacrificed  by  the 
ruthless  guerrilleros,  would  not  have  occurred. 

Another  and  still  more  lamentable  calamity  is,  T  think,  fairly  to  he  as- 
cribed to  the  early  obstruction  of  this  im|)ortant  line  of  communication. 
The  brave  and  patriotic  men  wiTo  were  hurried  on  to  Mexicu  in  small  de- 
tachments, in  order  to  reinforce  your  armv,  were  unoxpecteilly  but  neces- 
sarily detained  at  Vera  Cruz  until  the  numbers  there  collected  were  suffii 
cient  to  force  their  way  through  the  strong  guerrilla  bands  which  held  I^F 
difficult  passes  on  the  Jalapa  road.  While  thus  detained  on  that  Inhospita- 
ble coast  In  the  sickly  season,  they  were  exposed  to  the  attacks  of  a  wasting 


APPENDIX. 


m 


pestilence,  more  fcirmiduble  mid,  as  it  unfortunately  proved,  more  dcatruc- 
tive  tlmn  tiie  .Muxican  unny. 

Wlien  the  uiiwplcomo  news  of  the  prcinnturc  discharge  of  this  large 
body  of  volunteers  wus  received  here,  uiiucconipanied  by  any  explanation 
to  show  the  necessity  of  the  act,  it  excited  very  (ronerni  surprise  and  re- 
gret ;  its  consetiucnces  were  at  once  foreseen,  l)ut  the  step  Imd  been  taken 
and  could  not  be  retraced.  It  was  loudly  cundcuincd.  il.iny  did  not  lie- 
lieve  that  a  measure  which  ar'  jared  to  bo  so  unwise  and  so  injurious  to 
the  o|)crutions  of  the  army  cr.uld  have  emanated  from  yourself,  but  tlicy 
were  less  charitable  towards  the  I'rc^sident  and  Secretary  of  War.  Both 
were  denounced  for  what  you  hud  done  ;  they  wore  unscrupulously  charged 
with  wt'aknesg  and  incapacity  ;  with  being  actuated  by  hostility  to  you, 
and  a  desire  to  secure  popularity  with  the  volunteers,  nor  were  these  bit- 
ter aFsaults  intermitted  until  it  began  to  be  suspected  that  they  were  mis- 
directed. 

If  you  really  regarded,  on  the  6th  of  May,  the  augmentation  of  your 
forces  as  being  of  such  vital  iuip<jrtance,  it  is  almost  as  difficult  to  accoimt 
for  the  course  taken  to  re-engage  the  volunteers,  us  for  their  premature 
discharge.  I  am  misled  by  information  on  which  I  ought  to  rely,  if  many 
of  these  volunteers  would  not  have  continued  in  service  if  proper  measures 
had  been  taken  at  Julupu,  while  tliey  were  indulging  the  hope  of  partici- 
pating in  further  triumphs,  and  of  being  among  those  who  would  enjoy 
tlie  enviable  distinction  of  first  entering,  as  victors,  the  proud  cupital  of  the 
Mexican  republic.  Though  the  subject  was  there  presented  to  their  con- 
sideration, no  vigorous  efforts  seem  to  have  been  made,  no  attempt  to  form 
new  companies,  or  to  muster  them  into  service,  until  this  powerful  induce- 
ment was  weakened  or  withdrawn ;  until  they  had  been  detached  from  a 
victorious  army,  as  if  no  longer  deemed  worthy  to  be  a  part  of  it ;  sent 
sixty  miles  towards  their  homes,  into  a  pestilential  region,  and  there 
brought  within  the  sympathetic  influence  of  the  sentiments  which,  it  was 
natural  that  many  should  feel  and  manifest,  at  the  moment  of  embarking, 
to  return  to  their  families  and  friends.  Considering  the  manner  in  which 
the  President's  order  on  that  subject  was  attempted  to  be  executed,  it  is 
not  strange  that  among  more  than  three  thousand  patriotic  volunteers  sent 
away  by  your  order  of  the  4th  of  May,  only  about  "  fifty  individuals"  were 
found  willing  to  re-engage. 

You  seem  to  have  suddenly  conceived  the  notion  of  converting  the 
army,  "  like  Cortez,"  "  inlo  n  sdf-mslainvig  machine"  and  to  make  the 
resemblance  between  yoursi  If  and  the  Spanish  hero  more  complete,  you 
indulged  a  dream  of  fancy,  until  you  seem  to  have  adopted  it  as  a  matter 
^f  belief,  that  you  were  "  doomed  at  Washington,"  and  you  became,  "  like 
him,  always  afraid  that  the  next  ship  or  messenger  might  recall  or  furtlier 
cripple"  you. 


608 


APPENDIX. 


It  should  not  be  forgotten  that  the  design  of  this  unaccountable  mili- 
tary inoveinent  was  first  communicated  to  Mr.  Trist,  before  you  had  given 
any  intimation  of  it  to  your  government,  and  while  under  the  perturbation 
of  mind  which  his  unwelcome  presence  in  Mexico  had  produced.  Had 
you  confided  this  extraordinary  plan  of  a  campaign  to  him,  after  the  "  hap- 
py cliange"  in  your  relations  ;  after  you  had  digested  his  "  farrago  of  in- 
solence, conceit,  and  arrogance ;"  and,  after  he  too,  mistaking  notoriety  for 
fame,  nad  sought  to  win  it  by  disobying  the  orders  of  his  government,  de- 
fying its  uuthurity,  and  assailing  its  conduct,  this  distinguishing  mark  of 
your  confidence  in  him  would  have  cuustd  much  less  surprise.  This 
novel  conception,  so  suddenly  adopted,  was  a.<  suddenly  carried  out — your 
arn^y  was  indeed  converted  "  into  a  self-sustaii'ing  machine" — you  dis- 
charged the  twelve  months'  volunteers,  and  broke  up  your  post  at  Jalupa, 
and  on  the  way  to  your  main  de^fit ;  "  resolved,"  as.  you  announce'l,  "  no 
longer  to  depend  on  Vera  Cruz  or  home  ;"  you  put  ycuKflf  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  supplies  which  had  been  provided  by  the  government,  and 
rendered  yourself,  in  a  great  measure,  inaccessible  to  the  recruits  and  le- 
vies (except  in  strong  parties)  which  had  been  raised  to  augment  your 
command.  In  this  way  you  rendered  unavailing,  for  a  time  at  least,  all 
that  had  been  or  could  be  done  by  the  assiduous  and  incessant  labors  of  the 
Wb'  Department  in  all  its  branches,  and  then  you  recklessly  put  forth  the 
groundless  complaint  of  "  a  total  want  of  support  and  sympathy"  from  it. 

Your  letter  of  the  25th  of  July,  which  was  not  received  at  Washing- 
ton until  the  30th  of  December  last,  abounds  with  complaints  against  the 
department,  and  refers  in  strong  terms  to  the  wants  and  sufferings  of  the 
army  at  that  time.  Before  you  venture  to  make  its  then  destitute  condition 
a  ground  of  charge  against  the  War  Department,  you  ought  to  have  recol- 
lected that  the  afflictions  fell  upon  it  in  the  midst  of  your  experiment  of 
making  it  "a  self-sustaining  machine,"  and  were  the  legitimate  fruits  of 
that  experiment.  These  sufferings  came  upon  it  before  your  estimated  pe- 
riod of  isolation  from  "  Vera  Cruz  and  home"  had  half  expired.  When  you 
had  designedly  and  unnecessarily  abandoned  both,  and  entered  upon  your 
self-sustaining  position,  "  cut  off  from  all  supplies  and  reinforcements  from 
home,  until  perhaps  late  in  November,"  by  what  pretence  of  justice  do  you 
comp'ain  of  the  War  D(  wrtment  for  the  distrejses  you  thus  voluntarily 
inflicted  upon  yourself  and  the  gallant  army  under  your  command  ? 
Something  very  different  from  censure  ond  reproof  is  due  for  the  extraor- 
dinary efforts  v.hich  were  successfully  made  to  reach  you  with  recruits 
and  supplies  in  your  sequestered  situation,  and  to  rescue  you  from  the  em- 
barrassments in  which  your  ill-jiidged  measure  had  involved  you.  I  have 
brought  into  view  this  unaccountable  movement  of  yours,  with  no  purp^ 
to  make  any  comment  upon  it  as  a  military  measure,  but  solely  to  show 
that  the  evils  resulting  from  it  are  not  just  grounds  of  atv^usation  against 


APPENDIX. 


609 


of 
of 


•ily 


Hits 


Inst 


the  War  Department,  and  that  the  labored  attempt  to  pervert  them  to  such 
a  purpose,  discloses  the  manner  and  spirit  with  which  you  have  executed 
the  assumed  ta!-k  of  its  accuser. 

As  you  have  indiilfred  in  the  wildest  range  of  speculation  in  regard  to 
the  alleged  sinisier  motives  and  covert  designs  of  otller^;,  I  feel  less  reluct- 
ant to  present  my  views  as  to  the  main  object  of  your  last  commuiiicallon. 
Throughout  the  whole  of  it,  and  particularly  in  the  concluding  part,  you 
manifest  the  utmost  solicitude  to  place  yourself  in  the  position  of  an  in- 
jured and  persecuted  man.  With  all  the  aid  yoii  can  derive  from  dextrous 
strategy,  you  will  be  likely  to  fail  in  your  attempt,  unless  you  can  have 
the  full  Ixjnefit  of  your  high  coloring  of  some  facts,  and  your  forgetful- 
ness  of  others,  together  with  all  your  fanciful  conjectures  and  surmises. 
Your  recall  is,  you  assert,  the  long  suspended  "  blow  of  power"  which  you 
had  the  sagacity  clearly  to  predict.  It  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  your 
predictions  preceded  the  events  which  you  imagine  provoked  that  blow. 
As  early  as  the  25ih  of  July — soon  after  "  the  happy  change  in  my  [your] 
relations,  both  official  and  private,  with  Mr.  Trist" — you  looked,  you  say, 
"to  be  dismissed  from  the  service  of  my  [your]  count'y."  If  your  recall 
can  be  regarded  as  a  dismissal,  you  are  entitled  to  rJl  the  credit  of  the 
fulfilment  of  your  own  early  prediction. 

In  prasenting  in  its  true  light  the  President's  compliance  with  your 
own  request  to  be  recalled,  which  you  now  denominate  your  dismissal,  I 
may  be  obliged  to  strip  it  of  the  embellishments  you  have  ingeniously 
thrown  around  it,  though,  in  doing  thu,  you  may  be  deprived  of  much 
upon  which  you  depend  to  sustain  your  claim  to  be  considered  as  a  perse- 
cuted man. 

As  early  as  June  you  begged  to  be  recalled.  You  allege  that  this  ap- 
plication was  "  rebukinply  declined."  This  is  not  saying  the  exact  thing. 
The  reply  to  your  request  was,  "  that  it  would  he  decided  with  exclusive 
reference  to  the  public  good.  When  that  shall  render  it  proper  in  his 
(the  President's)  opinion  to  withdraw  you  from  ynur  present  conimand, 
his  determination  to  do  so  will  be  made  known  to  you."  This  was  n.  *  a 
denial,  but  a  suspension  of  present  action,  accompanied  with  an  assurance 
of  future  action  on  the  subject.  Your  request  was  still  pending  ;  a  regard 
to  the  public  good  then  stood  in  the  way  of  the  immediate  gratiticniion  of 
your  wishes,  bu*  (Me  President  promised  to  act  definitely  «>n  the  question 
when  that  obstacle  should  be  removed.  Judging  from  the  state  of  things 
at  the  head-quarters  of  the  army,  in  .Tanuary,  he  concluded  that  it  was  re- 
moved, and  that  he  ought  no  longer  to  require  of  you  reluctant  service  a;i 
commanding  general.  This,  certainly,  cannot  be  called  persecution,  or 
punishment.  I  do  not  deem  it  proper  to  comment  on  the  state  of  thin!r'<  at 
the  hend-quarfers  of  the  army,  to  which  allusion  is  made  in  the  letter 
granting  your  request,  nor  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  the  share  of  respon- 


510 


APPENDIX. 


sibility  therefor  which  rests  upon  yourself  or  others  ;  that  matter  is  to  a 
considerable  extent  involved  in  the  investigations  before  tlic  court  nf  inqui- 
ry now  sitting  in  Mexico.  Your  request  to  bo  '•ecu''e:l,  thus  ultimately 
granted,  was  prefaced  with  imaginary  coi  f'':\ln{  .''icli  rould  not  be 
passed  without  notice,  nor  noticed,  without  o  rui-i:-;  ■'■'  groundlessness. 
If  the  exposition  has  given  offence,  you  can  bi  irue  oily  yt-urself  for  intro- 
ducing complaints  fj  entirely  unfounded. 

The  crowning  outrage,  as  you  regard  it,  is  the  simple  fact  that  you 
and  "  the  three  arrested  officers"  are  all  to  be  placed  together  before  the 
same  court ;"  the  innocent  and  .he  guilty,  the  Hccur?r  pj-.d  the  accused, 
the  judge  and  his  prisoners,  are  all  dealt  with  alike."  "  Most  impartial 
justice  !"  you  exclaim.  And  why  is  it  not  impartial  justice  ?  On  what 
ground  of  right  can  you  claim  to  have  your  case  discriminated  from  theirs? 
It  is  true  you  have  assumed  to  be  their  judge,  and  have  pronounced  them 
guilty  ;  and  complain  and  repine  that  the  laws  of  the  country  do  not  allow 
you,  their  accuser,  to  institute  a  court  to  register  your  decree.  But  you 
are  not  their  rightful  judge,  although  they  were  your  prisoners.  Before 
that  court  you  all  stand  on  the  same  level,  and  all  have  equal  rights. 
Though  you  may  have  the  self-satisfying  conviction  thatj'ou  are  innocent 
and  they  are  guilty,  the  government  could  act  upon  no  such  pre'.ui:iption. 
By  becoming  an  accuser  you  did  not  place  yourself  beyond  the  '''a.'l'.  of 
being  accused  ;  and  unless  you  are  clothed  with  the  immunity  -f  de5>|>otic 
power, and  can  claim  the  benefit  of  the  maxim  "that  the  kiii.  •"  'o  '«o 
wrong,"  I  know  not  why  your  conduct,  when  made  the  sub!  - ;  "'  i  li^i'ger 
may  not  be  investigated  by  a  court  of  inquiry,  nor  can  I  percci'.\  p;  \\''  a 
other,  or  better,  riglit  you  hav  <  complain,  and  arraign  the  govern.  ••  .;t, 
than  the  other  officers  whom  y(ju  have  accused,  and  whose  cases,  with 
yours  were  referred  to  the  same  court.  If  you-i  is  a  hard  case,  theirs  is 
not  less  so ;  if  yon  can  rightfully  complain  of  perseci  "  m  by  the  govern- 
ment, so  can  they,  with  eq'ial  justice,  and  l  •■  u.^ual  claim  to  public  sym- 
pathy. 

The  charges  against  you  did  not  emanate  frm..  :he  government,  nor  did 
they  relate  to  a  matter  in  which  it  could  feel  any  peculiar  interest.  Not 
believing  it  iniposslble  for  you  to  do  wrong,  or  that  yon  were  exempt  from 
all  responsibility,  for  whatever  you  might  have  done,  ■'<■-•  government 
deemed  it  proper,  when  charges  were  preierreti  again.-*  -  i;  ci.uiing  from 
a  source  entitled  to  respect,  to  cause  them  to  be  invusi ';;•■;•'.  As  ths 
usual  and  mildest  mode  of  proceeding,  they  were  referred  tc  a  cniin  of  in- 
quiry. Until  you  can  show  that  you  enjoy  the  transcendental  privilege  to 
have  your  official  conduct  exempt  from  ail  examination,  in  any  form  what- 
ever, you  ha  "  no  ci-uae  to  coiniii'iin  of  the  inrse  taken  in  regard  to  the 
charges  against  y»H, 

If  your  extraoniinary  proien;-i;  nis  ,iro  to  derive  any  support  from  your 


OriiaiiJ  Mai'cJi  ltl»*ir»*i 


APPENDIX. 


511 


•  from 

of  ill- 

ppe  to 
wlittc- 
to  the 

1  your 


distinguished  services  in  the  field,  you  ought  to  be  mindful  that  the  three 
accused  officers,  put  under  arrest  by  you,  have  lilje  claims  for  distinguished 
services.  On  the  pages  of  impartial  history  their  names,  and  their  gallant 
deeds,  must  appear  with  yours,  and  no  monopolizing  claims,  seeking  "  ma- 
lignant excl-.sions,"  at  the  expense  of  the  "  truth  of  history,"  will  be  per- 
mitted to  .ob  them  of  their  fair  share  of  the  glory  won  by  our  gallant  army 
while  under  your  command. 

With  your  assault  upon  the  character  of  your  "  erratic  brother"  I  shall 
not  intermeddle,  but  I  must  repel  your  charge  that  he  has  been  favored  for 
being  a  political  "  deserter"  to  "  the  true  faith"  for  signalizing  his  "  apos- 
tasy, by  acceptable  denunciations  of  one"  to  whom  he  had  formerly  "  pro- 
fessed (and  not  without  cause)  the  highest  obligations."  The  reasons  for 
not  sending  your  charges  against  Brevet  Major  G-neral  Worth  to  the  court 
of  inquiry,  are  set  forth  in  my  letter  of  the  '  Jth  of  January.  I  rpgret 
that  they  are  so  entirely  unsatisfactory  to  you,  but  am  consoled  with  the 
assurance  that  they  are  in  other  quarters  more  favorably  received.  The 
errors  of  your  commentary  on  my  letter  have  arisen  from  your  riisappre- 
hension  of  the  text.  The  principle  there  laid  down  is  of  vital  import- 
ance to  subordinate  officers,  and  in  no  respect  impairs  the  rights  or  the  au- 
thority of  those  in  chief  command.  As  the  principles  which  you  arraign 
are  the  creations  of  your  own  fancy,  and  have  no  coui.tenance  or  support 
from  ii:y  letter,  I  am  in  no  way  implicated  by  the  "  fatal  consequences" 
you  deduce  from  them.  Whether  legitimate  or  fanciful,  they  do  not  dis- 
turb the  positions  laid  down  in  my  letter. 

I  cannot,  howeve.-,  but  regard  your  solicitude  for  the  support  of  disci- 
pline to  be  more  ostentatious  than  profound.  When  a  general  at  the 
head  of  an  army  of  freemen,  who  do  not  lose  their  rights  as  citizens  by 
becoming  soldiers,  sets  m  pretensions  to  dictatorial  power — wijen  he  con- 
temns the  authority  of  his  governiiient,  and  is  mncii  more  ready  to  censure 
than  to  execute  its  orders  and  instructions — when  ho  denounces  as  an  out- 
rage and  a  punishment  the  attompt  to  submit  his  acts,  charged  to  be  an 
offence  against  a  s'-.bordinate  officer,  to  an  investigation  in  the  mildest  form 
— when  he  adiniiiisters  an  indignant  reproof  to  his  superior  for  upholding 
the  sacred  right  of  appeal,  upon  which  depend  the  security  and  protection 
of  all  under  his  cummnnd — such  a  general  sets  an  example  of  insubordi- 
nate conduct  of  wide  and  withering  influence  upon  sound  military  disci- 
pline. 

,  B/ extending  my  comments  upon  your  letter,  I  might  multiply  proofs 
to  show  that  your  accusations  against  tlie  head  of  the  War  Department 
are  unjust ;  that  your  complaints  are  unfounded ;  that  the  designs  imputed 
by  you  to  the  government  to  embarrass  your  operations,  impair  your  right- 
ful authority  as  commander,  and  to  offer  outrage  and  insult  to  your  feel- 
ings, are  all  the  more  cre-'.aons  of  a  diste  np^rod  finiiy  ;  but  to  do  more 
ttian  I  have  done  would,  in  my  judgment,  be  a  work  of  supererogation. 


.a:     •    .. 


5512 


APPENDIX. 


hi  crtnclnaion,  I  may  be  permitted  to  say  that,  as  one  of  the  Presi- 
Hknf^^  advisers,  I  had  a  full  share  in  the  responsibility  of  the  act  which 
*5«i<yn'»rt  yon  to  the  command  of  our  armies  in  Mexico.  I  felt  interested 
iWf.n  mnrfi  than  nntnraily  appertained  to  my  official  position,  that  success 
«nii'  Sfti-iry  should  signalize  your  operations.  It  was  my  duty  to  bring  to 
ji<M»if  itift  the  efficient  co-operation  of  the  War  Department.  I  never  had 
i»'  iVi»liii!];  that  did  not  harmonize  with  a  full  and  fair  discharge  of  tlii.-f  duty. 
HAfiff.  1/  han  hem  faithfulbj  performed.  There  are  some  men  for  whom 
*«i'>niyh  cannot  be  Hone  to  make  them  grateful,  or  even  just,  unless  acts 
tv(  mihserviency  and  personal  devotedness  are  superadded.  From  you  I 
(Wj)i»rred  bare  justice,  but  have  been  disappointed.  I  have  found  you  my 
«wi(«er.  In  my  vindication  1  have  endeavored  to  maintain  a  defensive  line, 
»M^'  if  I  h.ive  ffone  beyond  it  at  any  time,  it  has  been  done  to  repel  unpro- 
«,•,(? .'d  sfr^rression.  To  your  fame  I  have  endeavored  to  be  just.  I  have 
lWi»n  gratitled  with  the  many  occasions  1  have  had  to  bear  public  testi- 
Mnny  te>  your  abilities  and  signal  services  as  a  military  commander  in  the 
i>'\(t.  ft  ha.-^  been,  and,  under  any  change  in  our  personal  relations,  it  will 
rti*irtfiniie  to  be,  my  purpose  to  be  liberal  in  my  appreciation  of  your  dis- 
itjn^fiiishpd  military  merits.  In  respect  to  your  errors  and  your  faults, 
ilhr,iv<i;h  f  could  not  be  blind,  I  regret  that  you  have  not  permitted  me  to  be 
sOlftitt. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  L.  MARCY, 
SecTftary  nf  War. 

1  o  .\f.ijor  General  Winfield  Scott, 

V.  S.  Army,  Mexico. 


END. 


mmm 


#  Bow  Lm,  LoMooH. 


15ft  BaoMWAT,  Ntw-Yon^ 


G.  P.  PUTNAM'S 

L]»t  OW 

NEW   PUBLICATIONS 

um 
WORKS  IN  PREPARATION. 


IMPORTATION  OF  POBEION  BOOKS. 

MK.  PrTNAM'S  Bramch  of  rut  Ahekicam  Urtntitr  A«nrer  (cnublished  in  1838)  II 
mill  continued  bjr  liim  in  I-ondon,  under  the  (tarft  of  MK  THOMAH  DE'.P,  an  experianead 
and  coiripetent  bibliograplier.  Mk.  I'ctmam  h«<  alw  tfi^^.ul  *<nifj<  in  P»;i<,  Hrunmlii,  LeipaiCi 
and  I.eglioni.andcan  llius  aflbrdeverj  fanliix  to  f/n»«<«  i<tfw«., ««  w«||  ax  in  noOKaituaa 
and  Puaiic  Inbi'iutions,  for  procuring  /i<«t»,  Hiuifmt.ri^,  Hufrt,  t/e.,  ^e.,  from  all  ilie  princi- 
pal ciiiea  in  Europe,  in  tlie  moat  exfKditiuua  and  vjtmmurM  riMimt. 

Particular  attention  i»  given  also  to  tlw  procvntif  uf  nij>  »tt\  nemn  looxs,  by  meanf  of 
adveriising,  Ac,  *c.  Mr.  Putnam  believes  tliat  bu  («r«lr«  jmnf  npmStnfe  in  the  azecullon  of 
orders  of  all  kinds,  given  him  advanu^es  Out  arc  inknvt  In  asm,  awl  which  cannot  fail  to  b* 
appreciated  by  those  who  favor  him  with  the'/  Iiumims^. 

An  order  for  a  single  •   lume  will  at  all  times  re«l»»  iIm  annw  'Atr.M  aflenlinn  as  larger  or- 


ders.   Any  party  preferriiii;  to  corres[¥)nd  direetly  ««((  (ht  l/irAim  house,  will  find  hia^orden 
promptly  attended  to,  provided  they  are  addresowl  -T    IHl,*,  I'ulaam'i  A 
London,"  and  accompanied  with  a  remlttaoc*  or  mxtMitKUitf  ttMrtaem. 


BOOKS,  ftOi,  DUTY  rUC. 
*,*  Byantent  Act  of  Congreu,  all  Coixvit;  hKitnmtn,  MmrNAiina  or  LiAiimaa, 

OB  OTHBR  SOCIITIBB  BBTABLISHBD  FOB  PmU>*QH4U!/H.  »%  l/<TB««*T  rrritPCSBS,  OB  FOB  TUB 
EMOOCRAaBIIBNT  OF  TUB   FlNB  AbTB,  may  iMfOBT   M«iV«M,  NAFII,  COfWS,  STATtTART,    PH^ 

LOSOPHioAL  Apparatus,  Acc,  Frbb  of  Uurr.  PuWie  UiminMnm  n1  (hu  rfear.ripiion,  wiahinf 
10  secure  this  advantage,  will  have  their  orders  «AccttM4  te  •  tmm  sattsfseiory  manner  by  lot- 
warding  them  to  O.  P.  Poimam  direct. 

N.  B.— CATALOGUES  of  New  Boolts  publicM  tn  IjmAnn.  wMb  t^lKAV  IA9TS,  *e.,tn 
pat  up  moHtUji  in  •mall  packages,  and  forwarded  f  rau*  M  all  mn  imy  d««tra  liMm. 


ORDBBS  rORWARDBD  BT  ZTgKt  •nAMEmi 

and,  if  dtiind,  and  lh$  book*  eon  be  nadUf  froairt4,  Hug  wOl  U  rtuind  tf  rttwn 


tSviMBimom  BaoBirao  pob  Pibiodioalb,  NawarAMM,  *«., 
LWaaupplM  oa  tffUtmtm. 

%  (0mriil  Citiligtr 

or  A  TBiT  ixTcaiiTc  coLticTiow  or 
STANDARD  WORKS  IN  EVERY  DEPARTMENT  OF  LITERATURE,  SCIENCE  It  ART, 

WOtUDING  FOREION  AND  ANKBICAX  PKBVICATIONt, 

Starty  R—iy.  < 

IlwlU  be  idUfrsUi  ou  a(i|iU«aiiaa, 
1 


J^m  ^orka— 3Kora  reabq  or  in  frfjjoration. 

PutmcmCs  lAlrwry  of  Americcm  Iluftary,' 

Consisting  of  Rare  Tracts  illustrative  of  Ameiicao  UiMorf,    £dit«d,  with 
Notes,  &c.| 

BY   REV.  F.  L.  HAWK*,  0.0. 


T?ie  Optimist. 


BY  H.  T.  TUOKERMAN,  C«^ 

In  one  volume  ISino.    (In  Murcti.) 


A  New  Worh  on  California. 

BY    BAYARD   TAYLOR* 

Author  of  "VIoiM  aFool,"  ix.,  lot. 

With  Illustrations  by  the  Author.    In  two  voIwikm  ISmo. 


New  Mesewrches  at  Nineveh. 

BY    AUSTEN    HENRY    LAYARD,  l%q, 

In  one  volume  8vo,  uniform  with  "  Nineveh  %nA  iw  fUmalns." 


French  and  English  Coimting-Hou^e  Miim/iml. 

Manual  of  Commercial  Correspondence,  (vngiinh  and  Vrtumh ',  tit,  A  Heleetion 
of  Commercial  Phrases,  taken  from  a  number  of  Ij^Unfn,  Accounts,  Cata- 
logues, Prices  Current,  and  other  Papers. 

BY    A    MERCHANT. 

In  one  volume  l2mo,  cloth.    (Now  rnif,) 


Elements  of  Trigonometry,  Plam  ami  HplMrmil ; 

Adapted  to  the  present  state  of  Anolysis.  'Tn  w\Mt  \»  mliii'it,  (hz-ir  applica- 
tion to  the  principles  of  Naviijntioii,  Hiirveyiiijf,  N»»lktii  A«trr>fiomy,  anJ 
Geodesy.  With  Logarithmic,  TrittonuinviricMl,  miit  Nmnlkal  Tables. 
For  the  use  of  Colleges  and  Academies.     New  KilhUm,  grftttly  improved. 

BY   REV.  O.  W.  HAOKLEY, 

Frofeaaor  of  Mathematics  In  Columbia  (;ull«j(*,  HtW'VMk, 


EoDGwrsions  in  Eiwope  and  tits  UnitM  HUifM. 

BY  WILLIAM  CULLEN  BRYANT. 

ISmo,  cloth.    (In  April.) 

3 


155  BiOADWAT,  New- You, 


0.  P.  PUTNAM'S 

NEW    PUBLICATIONS, 


■4 

A., -^Jk 


tfraueb,  Ibuenturts,  nnb  M\mm\m, 


IN    THE    EAST. 


Nineveh  ami  its  Jiem/ivM  ^  '  wmww^^\  .vA 

With  an  Account  of  a  Viiiil  U(  th«  Clialdwan  Chriatianx  of  Kurdiitan,  and 
the  Yezidis,  or  Ui'vil-WornhippTii ;  and  an  Inquiry  into  the  Mancen 
and  Art*  uf  the  Anciifnt  Kmyt\un», 

"^  BY  AUSTCN  HENRY  LAYARD,  ESQ.,  D.C.L. 

With  Inteodoctokv  Non  «r  I'aor.  E.  RosmsoN,  D.  D.,  LL.  D. 

wtrated  with  13  Plateiand  Mtt|M,  and  UO  Woodcuta.  3  vols.  8vo.  Clo<h.  $450. 

"We  cannot  dnuht  it  will  Anil  lu  »*)r  infi  ih»  hitmU  M  .rhnlirx  iin't  ihinkan  i.l  once,  !:nil  wa 
•hall  be  Burprineil  If  i(  iI'mm  n<H  yrtivH  ft  Im  iitm  of  ilin  mc^  popular,  on  it  certainly  is  one  of  iha 
HBoel  UHef'il  Ibmul-h  ol'ihe  neujstm.    ^ titanKPUm. 

"A"  a  record  of  cliuciivoriea  li  l«  ri\<u  >/  w<if«l»rfiil  »nil  Importnni ;  cnnfirminit  In  many  nartieu- 
tan  the  inriileciial  lilmorii:.  nl  Hacrwl  M  ,t,  ill^'nonnhlnir  Kinpleixdnip'  from  the  ,>'<piilclire  of 

[e«r,  anil  recovering  the  metrpoltaara  muuiiulM  fMilin  fraoi  the  l'>nit  niglil  orubliviun  "—(Jam 

'ttnft  ^I'ii^'-.    ,ii*vi'-    '. '       ,   /•"»irwr 


•« 


O.  p.  FUTN^S  NEW  WWACATUmt. 


fctttjtls,  <l)tiitittiini,  aoit  Sifrotfritf-"3i  tjit  #fit 

COKTIVOBP. 

Niifujwii  and  Ua  Memavna. — Contmoed, 

"TakiDC  <U<  «ul)r  «  •  twstr  «<  tynnd^  «• 
ha**  r««d  iwM  tw  *  Uwf  4iiiMr  amm  Mmmmm 
and  iMi/ucurc  "-^M«><«rV  Al*»iMi 

"  W«  r*pw(  (1m«  ftmiw  IbM  Many  it<v  <nr!lk  ■» 

bnrM  or  owm  ii4r«MMiM««.  Uttfl(%mM  .»  iM 
mora  tnidifwJ,  Kwibwi  <<vx  «MtM  cif  iw  «tr.i» 
raaqiM  ituu)  Ow  Wv  «r  «ki«  4it>^*  1ii^«  »."— 

AttE,  wbelbcir  »Mii  »*<*«««  '*  fktt  ^tttiAtnfm 
dlKorariM  ii  4eKnW>.  ^  frfmi%itiM  »«/!«. 

an- 
•>»l  hi 

o(  piiitktqmmitiiififijm'iim^  tim- 
Uoo,  w«  e*jM«(  »«  mmlbn  4m  *«  #»fit  -»» 
Mr.  U7U4  irUi  to  ii«M4  m  ««K«I  Mm>r  «* 

dan  Tim*t. 


YTBturdtr, 


um 


"hhwbMatmlTnkLlhatthaiiuntiraiillluaioiMaM.  k  ti»  tow<Ml»iifii«  (kmrmOmm  fc 
<iw«  lnrl««<l  iwnlDd  on*  eonUnmUy  of  in  Airtton  tela  «r  w—<ni  «h«  ^/imr-'br,  IttMmm  in 
MrtdueltrylfoU. 

"TlwworkorMr.LaTudhaatwoproraineiHuildMactdwiwXMii,  M*  MimiAw  a<  wnnitor- 
fat  dlK0T«r<«  ia  of  high  and  alMorbBi(  iniama;  but  a*  a  tMdt  «f  M*4fMi  M»«'««f,  «tMnMrfinf  M 
Hrbif  ami  piqiiant  daaeriptiona  of  iha  mannan  and  habka  of  a  paoft*  ataraf «  M^jfiiMM  «Mi  MMM* 
Maraal,  It  fa  aeeond  (o  oona."— />cm«era«e  Beview. 

"  Tha  book  haa  a  rata  amoont  of  graphic,  Tirid,  pietiiraafM  mmmtnt/'~^rt4m>¥, 

"Tha  work  of  Ujard  ta  the  moat  pnminant  eoouibultai  to  tt*  Mi<f  «<ilM»yg||f,A«  few 
appaaiad  ftw  maiij  yaara."— Cftrf»rian  Injuirer. 

"Notonaaxeala  in  kMaraat  tba  account  of  Minareh  and  ha  Miilm,i^m  tf  Nr,  l/tfrn*."- 
WatUngltn  Inttttigenetr, 

"AawaMlowihadiggeriwithbreathtaaiintaraat  in  thatr  tvma/tmit,  144  ml^f  «*l  turn- 
aittaa  bafora  a  maaaiTa  flifue  earred  with  minuu  accuracr,  ovir  MmW  aMwwr  Mkl  frMW  dM 
daat  of  30no  raara.  we  ara  readr  to  crjr  out  with  tba  aMaoubed  Antai,  'W«H%MM4MlMMM,M 
k  ll  (nw  I' "-/iii^peniiafK. 


^^^  (2mJ  Ita  MonvmemtSj 

Aa  nimtntiTc  of  SeriptiiK  Hiatcff, 

■Y  FRANCIS  L.  HAWtn>  D.D^  LL.  A,  *««il«, 

lUwtrated  with  EngraTing*  from  tbe  Woffc*  of  CutmtmMHH,  Hottnum, 
WiLcmoir,  and  othen,  and  Arebitectoral  View*  «f  A«  Ytim^  T«w 
plea,  &c.    One  rol.  6to.,  nnifonn  wilfa  <  l/tyut*  flm»fii(k' 

Yh«  work  premmii  k  comprahanalTa  and  anfhaatie.  aad  a(  dba  mm*  tm»  y^fMit  «w<r  «f  an 
•at  baa  baan  brought  to  light  by  modem  ttarellen,  illualM(<rc  «f  ika  aaaMMwaaif  itaaMiMV  (ML 
ONliitaetafa,  and  domaatie  life  of  the  ancient  Egyptiaaa-  wWi  tafaraaca  tv  Mtor  mOim  ftmmt 
lldM  "Old aai)  New  World." 

*/  The  IMtowing  are  aoma  of  tha  architaetunl  iDaatratMaa,  beaw»M»y  »nmMt  M  MM.  If 

Mkifiw  oiuf  Pyramidt,  humiftfm  Tmi, 

Ortal  Ttmple of Km^iae.  Kmm    Ombm.  ^  ..^ 

I  tf  Aemiwn,  XMaa,  Mariarir<0raa(r««y<««iM»4M4|V 


O.   p.   FITTNAlA   KSW  PUBLICATIOBB. 


CONTIIIOBB. 

Egypt  and  its  Mormmmte; 

Or,  Bgjrpt  a  WitiiMi  tot  the  Bible. 

BY  FRANCIS  L.  HAWKS,  0.0,  LUO,  *«.,  &e. 

niuBtrated  with  Engraving*  from  the  work*  of  Champollion,  Roaellini,  Wil- 
kinson,  and  others;  and  Architectural  Views  of  (he  principal  Templea.&e. 
1  vol.  8vo,  uniform  with  "  Lajrard'a  Nineveh,"  cloth,  %2  50 ;  half  mor. 
gilt  edgea,  $3  60. 

SECOND  EDmON,  BEVIftD  AKP  CHLAIOCII, 

••Ilwil.  haTa  a  livelT  uxerent ;  not  for  Uw  BibU  Mutlefll  ontjr,  but  for  all  who  lake  hMnal  la 
kiatoiical  rewarch."— iv.  Y.  Com.  Adtertlttr. 

••  A  valuable  cantribulion  to  our  8ured  Literature."— iVnMnl  DaUf  Advertiftr. 

"  It  auppliea  a  (leiideraium  in  the  Ijieraiure  of  the  Bihte."— Buffalo  OommereiaL 

"An  intellieible,  true,  and  reaHable  book  on  Ecfpi,  beyond  what  the  experleaee*  of  aefaigla 
traveller  could  furniali  ihe  materiaU  ol."—UutoH  Transeripl. 

"The  volume  will  conMltuie  a  valuable  addition  to  Chrietiaa  Literature."— .V.  V.  Reeordtr. 

"The  volume  of  Dr.  Hawka  will  be  wekomeil  by  manjr  readem  ae  a  valuable  eontribution  ts 
the  atock  of  information,  hiiheno  to  be  obtained  only  in  the  ecaily  volume*  of  WUkinaon  and 
othera.  There  probably  exiaia  no  other  volume  of  the  aame  aiie  cootaioinf  n  much  infonnatioo 
on  EgypV— Cambridge  Chronicle. 

"  The  volume  ia  inteneeljr  interealUig,  and  will  abundantly  repay  a  careful  peruaaL"— Ckned'on 
.ilHonee. 

■*  The  entire  work  ia  fliled  with  moel  biatraeUv*  beta,  (aihefed  from  recent  diacoveriea  hi  monu. 
mental  liusrature,  valuable  alike  to  the  theolofieal  aludentand  general  reader."— (/ni'veraolM 
Arafeie. 

"  In  the  treatment  of  this  aubjeet,  Dr.  Ilawke**  admirable  faculty  of  lucid  arrangeraent  and  di*- 
tinct  statement  haa-full  phty :  and  he  proceeds,  too,  with  a  calm  confidence  of  the  atrength  of  his 
positiona,  that  cannot  fall  to  inspire  his  resders— suck  of  them  especially  as  have  been  somewhat 
surtled  by  the  bold  aasertioos  of  the  inlldcl  school  of  Egyptologiau  and  their  train  of  ignofa* 
iniiaton— with  a  aimihur  confidence."— JMe/AoifM  Quarurtj  lUUm, 


The  East; 

Or,  SkeUhes  of  Travel  in  Egrpt  and  the  Hotjr  Land. 

BY  REV.  J.  A.  SPCNOKR,  H.K, 

BdUer  of  !Ae  Nat  Tutamenl  In  Orttk,  vtlh  EngUth  NoU$.    Mtmttr  of  tkt  N*»-  Ytrk 
Httlorieat  »ocUli,^c.,  t/t. 

Splendidly  Illustrated  with  Original  Drawing*.     8*o,  pp.  SOO.    Uniionn  wi 
t^,       "  Layard's  Nineveh,"  "  Hawki/a  Monnroenu  of  Egypt,"  &e 

COMTfMTt. 

BOTPT.— Alexar  i-ia.— The  Nile  and  diePyramlds,— The  Pyramids  and  their  Buildeis.— Life  on 
the  Nile.— Philae,  Syene,  Elephantine,  Esneh.— Necropolis  of  Thebes.— Luxor  snd  Kamak.— 
Dendera,  Es-sioul,  Benihaaaan.- The  Metropolis  of  Egypt.— Masks,  Citadel,  HsliopoUs.-* 
Coptic  Church,  Public  Men  and  Events. 

THE  HOLY  LAND.-Ufe  hi  the  Desert.- Pslssdaa,  tts  Hill  Ceontiy.— The  Holy  City.— Seth- 
semane,  the  Mount  of  Olives.— Cslvary  and  the  Holy  Sepulchre.- Bethlehem  aiid  its  Viciiuty. 
—The  Dead  Sea  and  the  Jordan.— Judes,  Samaria,  Jacob's  W  ill,  Nabulus.— Sebaate,  Tabor 
Tiberias,  Nazareth.— Mount  Camel,  St.  Jean  d'Aeis,  Tyi*.— fliikm,  Beirut  and  its  Vidniiy  -• 
Appsodix,  Note*,  Ac 


s- 


w^^ 


.v>^ 


V 


o.  p.  Putnam's  new  publioahons. 


COKTIHVBD. 

Visits  to  Monasteries  in  the  Leva/nt. 

BY  THE  HON.  ROBERT  CURZON. 
One  Tol.,  poat  8to.    Oltutrated  with  17  apirited  Engravings.    01  SO. 

LIST  or  nXTTSnUTIOKB. 

Monastery  of  Meteora, 
Interior  y  Urttk  Mamufery, 
Koard,  or  Native  tf  KoorduUm. 
Kegrett  vailing  U  lie  tout, 
Beaouin  Arab, 
Egyptian  In  ffium  Drete, 
Interior  of  Abyuinian  Library , 
MendUamt  Dervltk, 
Ckartk  ofHayHmiUkre, 
Manaltry  of  SI.  Bartaam, 
TarUtr,  or  uoiti  nmeni  Mueenger, 
TurUth  Common  Soldier, 
Promemlary  of  UomU  Attat, 
Orttk  Saxur, 
ttmatery  sf  Simo-Petri, 
CirtastioM  Lady, 
TmlathLady. 

"  A  TOduna  of  more  thin  otdmarjr  imcraK,  relating  a  aeriaa  of  moat  eorioua  and  oftan  amoalaa 
adTantoraa.  •  •  •  The  field  occopiad  bjr  iha  Toluma  u  almoat  aotinljr  new."— OMnrnernai 
Advertioer. 

"  A  Terjr  euriona  and  nnique  work.  We  recommend  it  to  those  who  are  fond  of  cheerful  inei. 
dent  of  trarel,  thraagh  laoda  pnaai  ailng  the  greatest  interest." — WaehingUm  Union. 

"  Bla  wanderings  in  the  Lerant  extend  orer  a  period  of  nearly  ten  Tears,  aboimdlng  in  adren- 
tares,  raanr  of  them  attended  with  extreme  peril^  which  are  told  with  Inimitable  nairetA  and  skilL 
*  *  '  Inare  is  an  elegance  and  pietareaque  simplicity  in  his  language  equally  tare  and  delight- 
ful.  The  iMok  is  profusely  Ulaatnied  by  wood  engravings  in  the  highest  style  of  art,  execatid  ia 
London,  it  is  issued  aimultaneonsly  with  Murray's  Engliah  edition,  and  the  author  raceiras  hia 
share  of  the  piofita  ariaiiig  firom  iu  aale  here."— 3>>Aune. 


Oriental  Life  Hhistrated: 

Being  a  new  Edition  of  "  Edthen,  or,  Traces  of  Travel  brought  Home  from 
the  East."  niutrated  with  fine  Steel  Engravings,  viz.,  TKAVELLma  in 
THE  Descbt,  Linos,  KAmxAC,  Nazaketb,  thb  Ftbahids.  13mo,  cloth, 
extra  gilt,  %l  SO. 

■Mothing  ao  sparkling,  ao  mpUe,  ao  tmthfiil  in  ■entimaot,  lal  n  poMie  kl  v«iD,  kM 
felM  tbe  p:iai  in  vaaij  a  iKjT'—Lmdcn  Critie, 


Jowrrwy  from  OomhiUto  Oomo. 

BY  MICHAEL  ANQELO  TITMARSK 

One  ToL  l3mo,  green  cloth,  50  eta. 

■h  ia  wooderflil  what  a  deaenption  of  people  and  things,  what  numerotu  pietana,  what  i 
■atabla  remaika  and  tliwdrm  it  contains.''— iDoug'faM  Jtrratat  Magaxine. 

6 


O.  p.  PUTNAM'S  WW  PUBUCATIOITS. 


€tm\s,  %htiAum,  a- it  IKfnmmts— Ss  tjit  €tai 

OOHTIVCID. 

AdvmtnM'ea  in  the  Lybian  Desert^ 

And  the  Oteis  of  Juinicr  AntinoH. 

BY  BAYLE  ST.  JOHN. 

ISmo,  doth,  75  ett. 

**It  li  •  Tery  graphic  and  amaBinc  daaeriptioB  of  the  ammy  and  aooqiitlaa,  and  of  Iha  paopla 
whomhaiaw."— fTojAifiylon  Union, 

"Though  wriuen  whh  an  ere  to  antiquarian  locc,  tlian  is  no  want  of  liTeliaeaa  in  tha  paraonai 
adTenlurea  of  the  author."— if  <Man. 

"  A  moat  intareatiifg  booli."— JV.  T.  Ktcorder. 

"  It  will  be  read  through  by  thoae  who  reach  tha  midilla  of  iha  fim  chapter,  "—^ttany  Jimnuu, 

"  It  ia  a  ipuiteddaacription  of  Iha  adTenlurea  of  ihe  aotfaor  laaott  iba  Bedouin  Araba."— 3Vi- 


E6thm; 


Or,  Traces  of  Travel  broaglit  HonM  from  ibe  Emu    12mo,  green  cloth, 
50  cents. 

"  Eathen  ia  a  boolc  with  which  erety  body,  taeA  afritgat  pnaa  od  fiey  dawripltai,  Aonld  ba 
weU  acquainted.  "-0^.&Oo*ette.  -i.— i" 

"  Tha  beat  boolt  of  Eaatam  iraTela  wa  laow."—Lnide»  Emamtmr. 


The  Oreacetit  and  the  Groaa  ; 

Or,  the  Romance  and  Realitf  of  Eastern  TiavcL 

BY  ELLIOT  WARBURTON. 

One  ToL  12mo,  green  cloth,  %\  35 

■"IWa  delightful  work  la,  from  fiiat  to  leal,  a  aplandid  haofaam  of  Eaatain  aeanary,  ia  tha  M 
Masa  of  ita  magnificence."— Iioiufon  Uoming  Ntitt. 

■A  brilliant,  poatie,  and  yet  moat  taiMrucarabook."-jr.  1.  OtmHtr  t  Mmqakm. 


9n  Mj)  Imm, 

Traoda  in  Peru. 

BY  DR.  J.  J.  VON  TIOHUDI. 

1  rol.  19mo,  cloth,  f  1  00. 

*  BrtTfaig  Ihe  dangen  of  a  land  where  thR>at.catting  ia  a  popolar  paatina,  and  earthqnakea  and 
tkrera  more  or  leaa  yellow,  and  rermin  more  or  leap  renomoiM  are  amonni  the  indigenoua  cont' 
forta  of  the  aoil,  a  German,  of  high  repuutioo  aa  a  naltnaliH  and  man  of  letten,  haa  oeToted  four 
mars  of  a  life  raluable  to  ocience  to  a  reeidence  and  liareli  in  die  moat  iniereating  dinricta  of 
■oath  America,  the  ancient  empire  of  Ibe  ineaa,  llie  aceoe  of  the  coaqoeeu  and  cmeltiea  of  Fran 
daeo  Pixairsw" 

7 


o.  p.  Putnam's  new  publioationr. 

IN    THE    WEST. 

OcMfamia  <md  Oregon  Trails 

Being  Sketches  of  Prairie  and  Rodijr  Mountain  Lift. 
BY  FRANCIS   PARKMAN,  JR. 

With  Illustrations  by  Darley.     13mo.  cloth,  f 

••  WnKsn  with  Iha  ganulne  inapiratlon  of  untauiad  nature."— TVftwu 

"  A  Ilrely  and  well  written  account  of  divers  adrenturea  on  mountalna  ana  p!ainf,  (hasiti  aat 
riven  la  the  Indian  Country."— CAurcAnum. 

"  A  aarlea  of  f  raphic  and  apparently  reliable  aketchea."— iiUion. 

••  A^Twably  deaigned  and  ably  executed."- /fome  Journal. 

"  One  of  the  few  booka  from  which  we  can  obtain  any  thing  like  sceiirata  information  of  the 
character  of  the  countnr  between  the  Miaaiaslppi  and  the  Pacinc  Aa  deecriptlve  of  a  race  faal 
paning  away,  and  of  the  wild  and  wontlerful  country  from  which  they  are  perlahing,  and  through 
which  the  march  of  civilization  la  lorcing  lla  way,  to  the  dazilini  treaiurae  of  the  PaciAc  borden, 
the  work  it.  attractive,  and  la  got  up  in  a  aiyle  and  character  or  moat  of  the  publicaliona  of  Mr. 
Putnam.  The  cuta  are  very  admirable  specimena  of  the  high  perfeetioa  to  which  engravli^  on 
wood  haa  arrived."— iTxiMeriMic  Bniac. 


Astoria; 

Ot,  Anecdotes  of  an  Enterprise  beyona  the  Rooky  Moimtaint. 
BY  WASHINGTON  IRViNQ. 

With  Map.     ISmo.  $1  50. 

**  A  beautiful  edition  of  Irving's  highly  graphic  and  nirring  aketch  of  the  early  entarpriaes  of 
John  Jacob  Aator,  which  will  now  be  read  with  even  more  intereat  than  when  first  wnllen."— 
Evangeli*!. 

"  It  is  one  of  thoee  rare  worka  which  belongs,  by  the  value  of  Its  suhiect  and  the  truthfiihieaa  of 
■la  details,  to  authentic  hislon,  and  by  its  vivid  deacripiiona,  and  exciting  incidents  to  the  more 
varied  province  of  Romance."~A/iany  AlUu. 

'■  Losim  nothing  of  iu  Intereat  oy  the  late  diacoveries,  ftc.,  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains."— 
Beeerder. 

"  One  of  Irving'a  moat  valuable  worki.  *  *  *  Btill  fresh,  ioitnietive  and  enlanaiaiB(."— 
BaUtn't  Magaxine. 


A  Tofwr  on  the  Prairies; 

With  Abbottaford  and  Newstead  Abbey. 

BY  WASHINGTON  IRVING. 

ISmo.  91  SS. 

"  Its  pemaal  leaves  a  positive  aense  of  refreshment,  which  we  ahould  think  would 
look  invaluable  to  the  thousands  of  morula  whose  lives  are  bound  up  with  Iad|ara  and  eaab 
Trituiu. 
Delightful  reading  for  a  leisure  Iiout."— illtany  Mat, 


Adventiu/res  of  Ga/pt.  BormeviUe,  U.  S.  A^ 

In  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  Far  WaM. 
BY  WASHINGTON  IRVING. 

]9nio,  with  a  yaluable  flap.     $1  25. 
*FbI1  oi  wild  and  exciting  incidents  of  frontier  and  Kivoge  h  \"-  Pmidtnei  Jowrmtt 

8 


oftlw 
leefu* 
hrough 
onlen, 
of  Mr. 
rtufoo 


rim  of 

■MM  of 

moM 


lima 


o.  P.  Putnam's  new  publications. 


T^  Genius  of  Ikdy  ; 

Being  Sketches  of  Italian  Life,  Litprnture,  and  Religion. 

BY  REV.  ROBERT  TbiiNBULL, 

Authttr  qfThe  Omiut  of  Nnttand." 
Third  edition.     1  vol.  ISmo,  $1 ;  illustrated  edition,  cloth,  gilt,  fSL 

Th*  edition  wlih  extra  lllujtratloni,  hanilaanuly  bound,  will  ba  ready  in  the  autumn. 
"Mr.  Tunibull  given  ut  the  orange  grnvei,  ami  the  rountaini,  and  the  gonctolai,  arx,  iie  (Vmums 
d  the  mini,  with  toiirliee  of  peraonal  ailventure,  anil  Hicetcheif  of  biography,  and  gllmpiea  of  the 
life,  literature,  and  rcllginn  ni  Modern  Italy,  Keen  with  the  qtiir.k,  •^ompreheneive  glancee  of  an 
American  traveller,  impuhive,  in<|ui«liive,  and  enlhuniamic.  Ilia  book  !■  a  pleaeant  record  of  a 
touriit'a  imprcMioM,  wiihoui  the  infliction  of  lh<)  lireiome  minutin  of  hit  avaryday  axperienca." 
—Literary  World. 

"  At  a  moment  when  lialy  is  about  to  be  regenerated— when  the  lotig-ilumbering  spirit  ol  th* 
panple  ii  about  aiMiiming  iu  ancient  vigor,  a  work  of  ihie  kind  iedeeimhle.  '  *  *  The  country, 
lU  paople,  and  prominent  laaturea  are  given  with  much  truth  and  force."— XJenMcroiic  Rni*». 


Views  A-Foot ; 

Or,  Europe  seen  with  Knapsack  and  Staff*. 
BY  KAYARO  TAYLOR. 

New  edition,  with  an  additi  inal  Chapter  of  Practical  Information  for  Pedes- 
trians in  Europe,  ond  a  Sketch  of  the  Author  in  Pedestrian  Costume,  froic 
a  Drawing  by  T.  Buchanan  Read.     13mo.,  cloth,  ^1  35. 
— —  The  same,  fancy  cl  Hh,  gilt  extra,  $1  75. 
"Thure  la  a  freahneia  and  force  ir.  the  book  altogether  unusual  In  a  book  of  travels.     *      * 
As  a  textbook  for  travellers  the  work  is  emcntiall^  valuable ;  it  tells  huw  much  can  be  accom- 

Kllshed  with  very  limited  means,  when  energy,  cunosiiy,  and  a  love  of  adventure  Kn  the  promp 
irs;  sympathy  in  his  success  likewise,  is  another  source  of  interest  to  the  book.      '      '  The 

result  nf  all  this  is,  n  widespread  popularity  as  a  writer,  a  very  handsomely  printed  book,  with  a 
very  hamlnome  p<>rir.iii  of  the  author,  and  we  congratulate  him  upon  Iha  attainment  of  this  sod 
future  honors."— C'nion  Magaxint. 


The  Spamiafrda^  a/nd  their  Cowntry. 

BY   RICHARD  FORD. 

ISmo,  green  cloth.     $1  00. 

"The  beat  English  book,  beyond  comparlaon,  that  srer  htn  appurad  forths  llluslratlaii,  i 
merely  of  the  general  tonography  and  local  curiosities,  but  of  the  national  chxi-actar  and  mau 
llf  Spam."— Quorrer/y  tUviae. 


"This  is  a  very  clever  and  amusing  work."— LouistiOe  i 

"Th*  style  Is  light,  dashing,  and  agreeable."— JV;  Y.  Ii0t^i 

','  Washington  Irving  commends  this  as  the  best  modenfi^pular  aeeooBt  of  Spain. 


Scenes  and  Thmghis  in  Europe.  V,^ 

BY  AN  AMERIOAN.  "^^ 

(Geo.  H.  Calvert,  Esq.,  Baltimore.)     13mo.    50  cts. 

■'  This  book  Is  a  delightful  insunce  of  the  transforming  and  recreative  power  of  the  mind  upoa 
every  ihi.>"  'I  touches.  The  most  hackneyeil  groun.I  of  Euro|)e,  persons  and  objects  that  hava 
been  the  thenio  .'.'the  last  half  dozen  ycais  of  every  literary  remittance  from  abroad,  appear  tu 
us  clothed  with  new  ri,..rms  and  meuriinnH,  berauie  examined  with  a  finer  penetration  tlian  Ihay 
Bare  been  by  anv  other  English  n  American  trareller."— 7'rifrune. 

9 


0 


o.  p.  Putnam's  new  publioationb. 


The  Life  a/nd  Voyages  of  ChHstopher  Gdkmbua,    t  ?* 

To  which  are  added  those  of  his  Compaiuona.  ^ 

BY  WA8HINOTON  laVINQ. 

New  Edition,  Revised  and  Corrected.  Mapa,  Plates,  and  copions  Index. 
3  vols.  12mo,  green  cloth  uniform  with  the  new  edition  of  Irving'! 
Works,  Q4 ;  half  calf,  $6 ;  half  morocco,  top  edge  gilt,  $6  75  ;  fiill  calf, 
gilt,  $7  50.  The  Octavo  Editicn,  in  3  vols.,  on  miper&ie  paper,  uniform 
with  Prescott'B  Ferdinand  .^nd  Isabella,  |»S;  half  calf,  $8  SO;  full 
ca:,',  $10, 

"  One  of  tt  e  moit  riincinaluiK  and  int«naeljr  Interesting  b  ok*  in  the  whole  eompam  of  Engliib 
Literature.    '    *    '    It  has  all  the  interest  conferred  brthi' truth  of  history,  and  at  the  same  time 
Ihe  varied  exci  ement  of  a  veil  written  romance."  -  Wutt,  %  Continent. 
"  Perhaps  '  i  e  most  truly  valuable  of  the  Author's  writing  i."—Home  JoumaL 
■*  The  History  of  Columbus  is  admirably  executed ;  and  botigh  s,  true  and  iiilhfal  hif  toi7i  It  is 
u  interesting  as  a  high  wrought  romance." 


The  Conquest  of  Flo'iida. 


BY  THEODORE  IRVINQs 

Prof,  ijf  Hhtory  and  Bella  Letter*  in  the  Prtt  Aeademif. 

New  and  Revised  Edition,  Corrected,  with  Notes,  and  Dluatrations  fiom 
various  recent  sources.     13mo. 


The  Mowwmeftds  of  Qent/rcH  cmd  Western  America; 

With  Comparative  Notices  of  those  in  Egypt,  India,  Assyria,  dee. 

BY  REV.  r.  U  HAWKS,  D.  D,,  LL.  O. 

1  vol.  8to. 

This  work  is  now  in  preparation,  uniform  with  "  Nineveh,"  and  the  "  Monuments  of  Egypc" 
It  will  comprise  n  comprehensive,  readable,  and  popular  view  of  the  whole  subject  of  Aoeism  l» 
on  the  American  eontioaDt— with  *aifA»  Iltustrations. 


The  Ancient  Momwments  of  the  Mississippi  Valley, 

Comprising  the  Results  of  Extenciive  Original  Surreys  and  Elzploratioiii. 

BY  E.  O.  8QUIER,  A.  M„  AND  E.  H.  DAVI8,  M.  O, 

With  nnmerona  ninstrations.    Royal  4to,  $10. 


Ten  Team's  of  American  History  : 

1840-49— including  a  History  of  the  Mexican  War  and  of  Caliibnis. 
BY  EMMA  WILLARD. 
With  a  valuable  Mop.     19mo,  $1. 
10 


•iaspj:ii  LiiuiAiiv, 

Oi  .111.1  MarcJi  I.IJM  I, 


a.  p.  Putnam's  new  publications. 


% 


lex. 

lalf, 
)rTn 
fuU 


Unu 


from 


iBi8tnni™36ingtn]i|n(™(0BngrB|ilit|, 

CONTINUED. 

Italy;  Past  amd  Present : 

Or  General  Views  of  its  History,  Religion,  Politics,  Literature  and  Alt 

BY  L.  MARIOTTI, 

Prqf.  tf  Italian  Lilerature  in  London  Univtriity. 

2  vols.,  8vo,  clcth,  $3  50. 


The  Letters  a/nd  Speeclies  of  Oliver  OrorrvweU^ 

With  Elucidations. 

BY  THOS.  CARLYLE. 

The  Fine  Edition,  in  3  vols..  Octavo,  with  Portrait.    Reduced  to  $9  SO. 


Barrow's  Autobiography. — Lamengro : 

BY  QEOROE  BORROW, 

Avthor  Iff  "  Tht  Qipaiea  of  Spain,"  "  The  Biblt  in  Spain,"  ^e. 

To  be  published  simultaneously   by  John   Mukray,  London,  and  O.   P. 
Potnam,  New- York.     In  one  volume,  12mo. 

*  '  Thia  will  be  a  work  of  intenae  iniereat,  including  extraordinary  adrenturei  in  various  paitl 
•f  the  work 


Jd'mstovSs  Universal  AUas. 

This  splendid  and  important  work — by  far  the  most  comprehensive,  correct 
and  usefiil  Atlas  now  extant,  was  published  recently  in  Edinburgh  at  the 
price  of  eight  guineas,  and  the  price  in  this  country  has  been  about  $50. 
G.  P.  Putnam  has  made  arrangements  for  an  edition  for  the  United  States, 
rendered  far  more  valuable  by  the  addition  of  a  COPIOUS  and  USEFUL 
INDBX  of  about  40,000  noi  .> ;  but  the  maps  being  transferred  in  fac- 
simile on  stone,  the  Americaii  publisher  is  enabled  to  supply  it  at  the 
low  price  of  $20 — elegan")'  and  substantially  bound  in  half  morocco, 
gilt  edges.  The  maps  ..-e  clearly  and  beautifully  executed,  and  are 
practically  fully  equal  to  the  original  edition.  The  work  contains  41 
large  and  splendid  maps. 

'  Having  examined  many  of  the  Mapa  of  ihe  National  Atlaa,  1  liare  no  lieaitation  in  aayinft 
diat  tliey  are  aa  accurate  in  their  geographical  dotaila  aa  th*r  are  beautiful  in  their  execution."— 
Mir  Dmid  BrtutUr. 


Historical  Studies. 


BY    GEORGE   WASHINGTON    GREENE,    ESQ., 

iMtt  Contul  of  IHt  U.  S.  at  Rom. .    I  vol.  ISmo,  cloth. 


TJie  W&t'Ws  Progress  ; 

Or,  A  Record  of  Remarkable  Ocrurrencea,  Political,  Literary,  and  HcienUfle,  in  the  Annals 
of  all  Nationa.    In  two  Diviaiona.    I.  Contem|)orary  Tablea.    U.  Alphabetical  Recoids. 
BY    G.  P.  PUTNAM. 
Naw  idiliao,  revued  and  enlarged.    1  v«l.  Svo. 


"■"W^^UfWIW 


G.  P.  putttam's  new  publications. 


THE   LIBERTY    OF   ROME; 


A   HISTORY. 

With  an  Historical  account  of  the  Liberty  of  ancient  Nations. 

BY  SAMUEL  ELIOT,  ESQ. 

3  vols.  8vo,  clmb,  and  illustrated  with  12  Plates.    $4  SO. 

LIST  OF  PLATES. 


1  Allegorical. 

2.  Homer  singing  on  the  Chion  strand. 

3.  Bust  of  Socrates. 

4.  Imaginary  View  of  Early  Rome. 

5.  Bust  of  Pylhagoms. 

C.  The  Secession  oi  the  People  to  Mons 


Sacer. 


7.  The  meetini;  ofCaniillusand  Maii- 

lius  ufler  the  rf  iri-al  uf  the  GauU. 

8.  Bust  of  Marcus  Tullius  Cicero. 

9.  The  Triumph  of  Quintus  Fabius. 

10.  Caius  Gracchus  weeping  Ijefore  his 

Father's  Statue. 

11.  Cicero  denouncing  Catiline. 


1'2.  Bust  of  Lucius  Junius  BruMs. 


OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

"  Mr.  Eliot'i  aim  it  an  imjiortant  one.  It  is  to  indicate  the  Itind  and  amount  of  liberty  enjoyed 
by  the  anoient  Roniani.  He  hai  formed  a  ju«t  conception  of  wtiat  is  meant  by  tlie  word  liberty, 
which  is  too  otlen  confonnded  with  mere  forms  nf  government,  at  best  but  its  guards  and  snpporti. 
*  *  *  The  scale  of  the  worlc  U  so  extensive,  tliat  details  necessarily  disappear  in  any 
abri();;c-il  statement  of  its  contents,  nor  is  it  possible  by  extracts  to  convey  an  idea  nf  the  value  and 
Interpst  of  the  book.  To  be  appreciated  it  must  be  tikea  as  a  whole.  There  are  few  salient  pas- 
sages. But  its  general  impression  is  in  the  h<gheit  degree  healthy,  conducive  to  the  expansion  of  the 
mind,  and  calculated  to  enrich  it  with  new  and  im[)ortant  ideas.  We  are  glad  to  receive  from  an 
American  ti,  id  such  a  welcome  contribution  to  oor  be^t  order  of  Literature." — London  Examiner, 

"A  work  of  high  character  and  distingaisheil  merit.  The  author  has  bronght  to  the  performance 
of  a  task  of  sue*,  magnitude  and  ditliuuliy,  vast  stores  of  erudition,  a  highly  cultivated  taste,  a  v.om- 
prchensive  and  penetrating  intellect,  and  a  grave  and  sober  judgment ;  qualities  imlispensnble  to  one 
who  would  write  such  a  history,  and  rarely  to  be  found  combined  ttt  the  same  extent  in  the  same 
■dividual."— JoAn  BuU. 

"  We  have  had  histories  of  Rome  written  by  the  scholar,  by  the  creduloas,  and  lately  a  history 
of  it  by  the  great  historic  skeptic,  Niebuhr.  We  had  not  yet  one  by  a  philosopher ;  we  thank  Mr. 
Eliot  for  having  undertaken,  and  we  may  add,  succeadei'  t*  his  task.  This  ii  ■  good  and  new  book 
to  the  classic  student  and  thinker.'  '—Daily  Jfctet. 

"  This  remarkable  book  presents  ns  with  a  view  of  liberty  in  a  dilTertnt  and  Irner  light  thin  hli 
been  laid  Iwlbre  us  by  any  writer.  Extenjive  reading,  a  well  balanced  and  philosophical  mind, 
above  all  prejudice,  could  alone  have  fitted  its  author  for  producing  a  work  which  must  take  a  high 
rank  in  American  Literature,  in  its  style  as  well  as  in  ite  tebject."— Prenii/enM  Journal. 


fli 

III 

111 

w 
fo 


"  The  present  volumes  exhibit  the  evidence  of  many  qualitiea  essential  to  so  large  an  enterprise  in 
their  accomplished  author.  They  are  in  the  highest  degree  creditable  to  the  conscientious  fif*elity  ol 
bis  researolies,  to  hit  Ik.'nstry  and  (lOwer  of  persistent  labor,  to  hit  acijuainlance  with  the  most  au- 
thentic sources  of  anoient  and  mtNlem  learning,  and  to  the  extent  and  variety  of  his  erndition,  which 
ii  free  from  any  tiBctii'<)  of  pedantry  or  oitoatalian.— j^  a-  Ycrk  Tribune. 

12 


G.   P.   PUTNAM'S   NEW   PUBLICATIONS. 


[an- 
iul3. 


hi) 


joyed 
wity, 
wrtf. 
I  any 
t  and 

I'M- 

r  ths 


ance 

one 

■ame 


iitory 

Mr. 

book 


hu 
nind, 
high 


Bistoni— 3Jingrttjiln(— (0rngtapjiii. 

CONTINUED. 

Malwmet  and  Jm  Successors. 

BY   WA8HINQT0N    IRVINQ. 

2  vols.  ISmo,  cloth.     Uniform  with  the  new  edition  of  "  Irvingfa  Worki.' 
$3  50. 

'■  The  event!  and  circumitances  of  Mahomet's  life  and  course  exceed  in  romantic  interest  th* 
most  inienious  crealions  of  Helen.  These  erenia  are  related  in  the  present  woric  with  (he  fascv 
naiine  uri  andalcil!  for  which  Mr.  Irving  is  distinguished.  '  '  *  The  present  book  is  one  ol 
absorbing  interest."—  Wiuhinglon  Union. 

"  It  will  be  universally  welcomed,  and  read  with  cordial  interest.  It  is  marked  by  the  inimiu- 
ble  grace  and  richness  of  style  characteristic  of  his  works."— iV.  Y.  Courier. 

"An  exceedingly  interesiing  review  of  the  historv  of  the  founder  of  the  Islam  faith,  and  hia 
times,  faultless  as  a  cnmpusillon,  blending  happily  criticism  and  discrimination  with  the  romantic 
•■trrative.  We  doubt  whether  any  of  Mr.  Irving  » I'arlier  volumes  will  equal  the  Life  of  Mahomet 
in  permanent  popularity."— JV.  Y.  Com.  Adrerh  ■  r 

" By  far  the  most  complete  and  most  candid  Iim  >i\  nf  the  great  founder  uf  a  religion  that  still 
holds  sway  over  a  large  fmctinn  of  the  race."— .N     ^    KrnngrUal. 

"  To  the  general  reader  it  will  be  roiiuil  iiii  ixrcllint  bnok.  and  it  will  bo  found  useflil  even  to 
those  who  are  familiar  with  (tibbon 

•*The  most  complete  and  aiithenti 
the  world."— A'rc.iin^  Mirrnr. 

"Abounds  in  events  of  thrillinc  iiiti 
■a  it  is  beautiful. "—ATa/.  InMllgf.ncer. 


—  Hoaton  Times. 
't  the  irrcat  Arabian  Prophet  that  has  yet  been  given  to 

whiili  i's  author  hii-i  clothed  in  language  as  attriimve 


"Our  author  sketches  in  a  rapid  manner  and  m  n  xi 
youthful  habits  and  pursuits,  antl  the  manhotHl,  prnji 


scarcely  iiiatcl.able  fur  beamy,  the 
,,     ^  I  public  career  of  th'-  founder  and 

original  propagator  uf  Islamism,  and  eiiils  wiih'au  npi .  mlix  which  'iiibnUies  aii  u'wuf  of  its 
doctrines,  wliich  is  scarcely  le^s  entertaining  than  the  narrate  an<)  is  an  li^sen'i  .lud  titghly 
valuable  accompaniment.  Our  author  has  inlerspcred  through  vnhiinc  a  suffin.  number  of 
legends  (as  incredible  as  the  one  already  quoted),  to  show  the'pci-uliar  cliaracieriKtics  ii  the  Mos- 
lem mind,  anil  to  give  variety  and  conaequenlly  additional  interest  to  the  story  of  the  origiu  oiid 
progress  of  the  Islam  faith."—  Wulern  Literary  Meaaenger. 


Oliver  Goldsmith :  a  Biography. 


BY   WASHINQTON    IRVING. 

1  Tol.  13mo,  cloth.     Uniform  with  the  new  edition  of  "  Irring's  Works." 
91  25. 

•■A  most  agreeable  work.  The  grace  of  Irving's  style  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  .in.,.tal«,caih 
flding  nature  of  the  wayward  genius  whoee  history  he  records."— /)emaiTa/i'   Her- 

"  It  will  supersede  all  former  lives  of  (he  author  of  the  Deserted  Village  and  i:  .  .ir  of  Waka- 
field."— C'Aristmn  Adviwate. 

"With  a  general  admiration  of  Ooldsmlih,  with  a  cordial  appreciation  of  (he  spiri(  of  his  writ- 
ing, and  with  maiiv  similar  iniclleciual  tendencies,  he  has  portrayed  the  varied  picture  of  his  life 
With  a  grace  and  elegance  that  maker  his  narrative  as  charming  a  piece  of  composition  as  can  be 
found  in  the  whole  range  n(  bi«  former  works."— Af.  Y.  Tr.nuiie. 

"  He  brings  the  man  before  his  reailers  in  all  his  aspects  and  sufTerings,  from  his  cradle  (o  hla 
grave.  The  style  is  easy,  (he  reflections  Just  and  flow  naturally  from  the  subject— the  arrange- 
(Dent  is  (hat  of  a  picture  wherein  the  leading  Incidents  are  shown  in  foreground  Bi(uations,  and  UM 
ininor  and  less  attractive  poinu  are  kept  well  in  the  background."— Lonoon  Atlutneum. 


iiein 
ily  oi 
t  aa- 
diicli 


George  Washington :  a  Biography. 


BY  WASHINQTON  IRVINQ. 
With  lUuftrttioDa.    In  Prtpttration. 

IS 


n.  p,  pctnam's  ttew  pi;bltcations. 


iSistnni— 3SiDgrn|ilii(— (0BDgrii|ilnj. 

IliMf/rUal  Studies. 


CONTINCED. 


BY  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  GREENE, 

Ijiic  United  Slates  Consul  II  Rome. 

1  vol.  12mo,  cloth,  $1  25. 

"Ilhw*  ifl  a  viwt  (leal  of  infonnaiion  compressed  in  tills  worlc.  It  is  eompoted  of  twelve  E«»)f^ 
#»W*y  rtrte  rtf  whictl  rontains  matter  for  a  volume." — Albany  Journal. 

•'1l!ti<y  w  wriiii-n  In  ihe  spirit  of  true  nrliolarliko  cultivation,  and  embody  itie  results  n  .h« 
*W1*ni''»  ftiiidici  wliile  in  the  enjoymi'nt  of  rare  opportunities  for  indulging  a  pasfionate  lastc  for 
BWiiin  (.iti-niiuro  flis  liixtorl'-al  views  arc  marked  with  groat  critical  acuteness,  ofifn  prcwiKing 
•iKit^ftiil  4iiir!r,.«Tiiini,  and  always  stimulating  the  atlentiorCof  the  reader  by  the  sireiigih  oi  iheif 
OHivmMHi*'  -Trihnnr. 

■'■*':ii<  ilii-  impress  of  Intelligent  observation  and  no  little  research."— C9mm«rcia/  Adv. 
•<  |M'anr\>r>«  to  Iw  rend  hy  all."— fireii/n^  Post. 
*'t^\W«vM.\\  critical  acumen."— Bui/ii/o  Commerriai  Adv. 


A'i'/n///fi,  Pa.<st  and  Present. 


k  Cnrnprchi-npive  Mnnunl  of  European  Geography  nnd  Iligtory,  derived  from 
'•'ffioial  nnd  other  authentic  pources,  nnd  comprising  not  only  an  accurate 
OooT.iphiral  nnd  Stntistical  Description,  but  also  n  faithful  and  inlereaiing 
Kimorv  of  all  Ruropenn  States ;  together  with  a  carefully  arranged  Index, 
Fiy  whirh  llie  render  is  enabled  to  find  readily  whatever  he  wishes  to  know 
flhnut  any  fleogrnphicnl,  Statistical,  or  Historical  Fact  concerning  Europe. 

BY  FRANCIS  H.  UNGEWITTER,  LL.  D. 

*(ihnr  of  "  Popular  Geography,"  "Universal  Geography  and  History,"  "School  Geogra* 
phy,"  Ac,  Ac 


Thfi  ff)rnf/arian  Revolution. 


fHKlini-s  of  the  Prominent  Circumstances  attending  the  Hungarian  Struggle 
frir  Freedom  ;  toaether  with  Brief  niographical  Sketches  of  the  leading 
Si.itesmel  and  Generals  who  took  part  in  it. 

BY  JOHANN   PRAQAY, 

Colonel  and  Adjutant-General  in  the  Hungarian  Army  imder  Kossuth. 

1  vol.  13mo,  cloth.^Map,  TScts. 


Th^  Stlanie  N(if>fm,s. 


A»  ffifitnricnl  Sket'  ii  of  the  Language  and  Literature  of  the  Sclavie  Nations 
(HdfimB,  Poland,  Hungary,  &c.). 

BY  TALVI. 

tfith  an   rntrn.liirtjon  and  Notes  by  Rev.  E.  Robinsom,  D.  U.,  &e.,  AuthVk' 
(rf  "  BiblicM.  Rcaearclics  in  Palestine,"  &c.,  &c. 

1  vol.  12mo,  cloth. 

13a 


h 


i^ 

1 


•an 
The 
kMt 

tn. 


G.  P.  putxam'k  xkw  iirniJCATio?r9. 


Irf^itffturt 


K 


.he 
e  for 
mini; 
(heir 


from 
urate 
Ming 
idex, 
mow 
rope. 

iogra* 


iggle 
ding 


tions 


itlwir 


Hints  on  PvhUo  Architecbwre^ 

Prepared,  on  behalf  of  the  Building  OtminiUM  ni  fhe  Smithaonian  Inatimtion. 
BY  ROBCirr  DALC  OWCM. 

In  large  Quarto,  clet;nntl)r  priiiturd,  with  113  lilmrtratli'iiu  in  the  best  style 
of  the  Art.     Price  $6. 

"  While  the  0«iMittw>  <Wfcf  Ik*  f««nlt  n(  Ihe«!  reorarehet,  not  n 
much  uj  the  ftrtfirMtfMt  «« t/t  Iht  fr'iif\ir,  and  (n  piihllc  botliea,  (u 
Veolriei".  Builliiu!  l.'Himni'Kvi,  »fKl  the  like.)  rhireed  with  th* 
duiieM  fiimUr  Vj  \lte)r  ii»$,,  '1^  Iwlnltn  (hs  hupf^  ih.ii  (ho  Architect 
altwi  may  tioJ  fiit;;*-*-!  i'tf  tt^fittrf  «rKi  rnit^n.il  for  i)}(iii<rht.  '  •  • 
'•M'ffiey  i«  *fx\>*'st!i*vi  »--*ri)  U^Mhiy  (fi«h;«in  ihe'ric*-,  i!ie«hnwy, 
the  cornm'«Ji>la<"i^.  Bm*  *«*»  t^tifii  '*f  inn^piiir!  may  *  n  ehnrtetied. 
Tlie  proirren  ul  imui'iim  «««■(  fnlsniiri:,  whii-.h,  in  mi  nr  lands,  liafl 
!»een  the  «!ow  rf'W^b  '/<  <^titiri*M,  hut  ii^fn  ha.<tf>TMMt  in  -lur  country, 
tlianlfe  u>  the  ifuiiua  «<  «  <►»  wlf  lanrhi  rnrn.  iKyond  ..'l  former 
precedent.  T'<  rtmi'iltft:  irMiu  Ui  »  Itindrrd  lirancli  of  .^rt;  to 
Kunply  eiii;ice«ti(Mj»  whifii  ttuf  r«)l  fttT  frr>m  dcviniin  paths,  <*r.d 
itidic^ie  I"  liie  xudirMt  ')wr  irtor  itne  of  pr'«rreM ;  and  lhu«  to  aid  in 
■briilcing  tluu  w*k«  '/I  «i|,>rt>nen<  arHl  of  Hiiliire  in  which  tlia 
Itiiiiennf  u  vr-lfffi  <«  <h*  fhntir.  »ncl  the  eauilr  is  misiaiicn  for 
the  Ijeauiilui,  ««  >^ifj'-ii  "t  im  li^hc  tmjKirtance,  In  ench  con- 
eideratioiii*  inay  tie  UmiA  itifr  tnt^ifn  «nd  the  purfxme  of  the  follow* 
iiig  y»tx*"  —Btirarl /turn  //«  $'if/aet. 

"Thi"  worli  Kliout/1  V  i«  III*  tumHe  nf  erery  hutltlinr  rommiltee, 
vertry.  city  ritr\i'tfim/tit,  'ff  vit^r  tirntl^r  '  '»>Iy.  havinff  the  pelectinnii 
of  plane  (</r  t,Mil'lif>r,  aryf  "f  ^-/ery  rrKii.i  tn.-il  iiavin^  in  rharite  a 
■iiniUr  duly  |i  w  iIk  milj  mint  wl'h  whirh  we  arc  aci|iiaiiite(l 
ei<|ieci«lly  \iKiaf4  if  'lieif  um.  U  nhotild  find  iie  way  to  iha 
•helree  uftrrry  rimttf  it:nnry  ;  (o»  hy  reference  to  its  [ngee,  thou- 
■anil  of  duller'  mar  t»e  ►»»».!  (n  thr  «elecii(.ri  of  a  projwr  etyle  for 
rour^h/iU^«'^'.  •  tiiirri»««.  tttA  Mbrr  i.tiMic  Afi)ftre"r. 

"  Nor,  ilwujili  /i-/t  t{i»'*i*\\y  i%Aiiif!m*-A  to  th^  profe«i'in,  ia  It  of 
leee  value  oi  ih"  archive  IVre  i«  much  in  ihl«  volume  wliich 
ereiT  iitt-mlM-r  "I  '!w  |/f'/6«ffV,Tr  woild  do  well  to  sindy. 

"Of  ihe  nuiiwi^x  »'»»<  mjiit,i\t,t%  which  form  ihe  chief  illu» 

Iraiiune  of  iliii!  v.,;j<«»,  w«  riw^^it  •("■ak  too  hiuhly     Till  we  a» 

•■mad  them,  we  wera  not  aware  t**  wliai  \)i^iUfivi'.t  iit^  up  h.*d  rif en  earned  in  our  cnimtnr. 

The  effect  of  »cvf  ral  of  thei-c  (i.e|)ecially  of  ili«  I'l/ntirfHfft  try  Ro«,eri<)  tn  eipinl  to  tliat  of  the 

kaat  atsei  eiii;raviiiga  ;  and  the  whole  of  tlie  ili'wtnufAe)  are  eaaee'linjly  crediialde  lu  Amerituw 

14 


O.   p.   PDl-NAM'S   NEW   VUmMiATtOJtH, 


In  point  of  iypom|ihr  tut  onMIMimoM  OM  of  tlw  mf 
n  the  Anwriean  rnm/'—AliUm, 


!ari|)ittrtiirr. 

CONTINUKD. 

•h  point  of  mechanical  execution  we  have  rareljr  leen  Ita  eijual  "— *  Y,  Mirrtr, 
"  A  rerjf  vuluable  hook. 
tMrtni  voliimea  that  ever  liaued  from 

"  Mr  Owen  ia  a  clear 
Ihlnkrr.  nnd  a  man  of 
fruat  nriivitjr  of  iiiind, 
an<l  the«e  quatiilea  have 
Imprff^ied  ihemaelvee  on 
hi«  wnrk,  which  ia  writ- 
ten wlih  iM-rapleuity  and 
rivarnjf.  The  princinlee 
flri'l  Mrif nrea  of  architec- 
iiirHl  iM'auty  are  pointed 
niii  wiih  miicli  beauty  of 
laniuace  nnd  dexterity  of 
llliiatrniion. 

"  We  unilcratand  that 
Mr.  Piiimim  has  expend- 
ril  nil  ihi^  work  many 
hiifiitreil^  i>r  dollara  be- 
yond I  he  amount  apeci- 
rif'l  ill  hi-4  cnntract  with 
ttie  !9riilrii5>oiiian  Inatltu- 
tlitn  ;  and  a^  tiie  copyright 
iff  )ii«,  wn  trnxt  lin  will 
b«!  amply  rpmiineraieil 
fnrhis  litii!raliiy."...V.  V. 
A'ee  I'oat. 

"The  beat  work  on 
Arrhil«cture  ever  pnb- 
ll'heil  in  ili«  U.  Siaiea. 
The  llluatraiionaarn  very 
beaiiiiful."— /^en«.vi//r«. 
«/'«  Inqitiri^T. 

"  The  took  ia  one  whicli 
Will  be  reaci  with  intereat 
and  pleaaiire  even  by 
Ihoae  who  have  cunflidured  architecture  aa  a  dry  atiidy. 

"T)ie  work  la excccdinc'y  iniereaiing,  while  ui  pulilic  Ixidie*  It  Wiimut  grml  finliHi;  uxt  w* 
cannot  tar  too  much  In  commendation  o(  the  very  auijerlvr  myl*  in  mhtrh  fim  irtiMlaher  ha*  pro- 

4»2«(ll"-JV.  r  am 

"Iha  tnmn  eompre- 
iMHiitv*  arwl  elegantly  II- 
tminuiA  irwilee  on  arch- 
tmtitn  fh»l  haa  yet  ap- 
•MriKl  irtthlacminiry."— 
ViMliiH  Trarurrlpl. 

-A  imly  admlrabi* 
Wwrk—ArHl  creditable  a- 
lilM  t»  lh«  Inelliiillon,  to 


and    to   the 
Pimuylva- 


Urn  »A»in. 
pwMMi«r ''    . 
|M«  ffufulrer. 

"  Th«  nnh^fi  of  which 
li  IfwtM  l«  one  of  vaai 
Imfirfttf*  lo  111'  tien- 
tM,  in  IM  eenrKirr.iraf  wA 
HIM  iIma  Iio  nrnamenlal 
rei^'iinet  arol  It  la  pre- 
(WfW*!  here  In  aiirh  away 
t»  fumwi    farl    both    to 

5 ratify  afKl    Inatrncl."  - 
'MUuhlphia  N, 


u 


O.   p.    I'lTTNAMri   NEW   PUBLICATIONS. 


loiibsmjie  (Garbling. 


A  Theatifie  on  tJi^  Tlimry  and  Practice  of  Larodscape 
Oanhniiifj  awl  Jiural  Architectwe, 

ADArm  TO  NoETll  A»lisil(r;«,  With  n  visw  to  the  Improvement  of  Country 
Jleiii(leiirr$—<:iiui\irMiiu  ((inlofiinl  NotircB,  nnd  Gencrnl  I'riiKiplcB  o(  lln? 
Art;  Dip  ctionii  fur  lnyiii|{  (nit  (ir'niri'lii  nnd  nrrnnging  PInntntiimH;  tiji' 
D<'f«Ti|)tii)n  niirl  (lullivntioii  of  llnnly  TrccH :  Decorntive  Ac(i)iiiimiiiiin*iit» 
to  till-  Ilouw  ttn<)  <(r«iiii(l«  ;  lUi-  Koriniition  of  Pi«cen  of  Artificial  WBtefi 
Flower  tiunlenii,  Si.r  ;  wiili  itrrnnrkn  on  Ki  rai.  Abchitecti/re. 


BY  A.  J.  DOWNING. 

Fourth  I'Miifon,  lUvlwi),  V.nUruf.A,  and  Newly  Illastrated. 


One  hniKirmme 


volinii 


n>-. 


"John  Bri.L  Innlcsnt  Brofher  Jomatiiam 
with  II  ^'tr.niift!  ciirn|Hi»mil  (if  (('•.■liiu.;".  Il« 
(Ijdlikr^  hi'M  ii«  a  riv;i| :  tin  Iovcm  liitn.  (iml 
1^  lipMiil  nf  hini.  HI  hcintr.  ttlitT  alt.  of  hif 
(Kvn  fif-h  fiti'l  liloMil,  Hill  wiK'iM-vfr.  in 
•'•I'-itrr.iirt,  or  liit.Tiittirc  Jonathan  trcuiU 
r-ithrr  Fihiirply  nn  the  h<'clf*  ol'  John,  (he 
K.ri'l  John  hrllowH  oui  iniwi  hi-tily.  Of  all 
tN<' ariH  "f  thf  iiiiivtrf*'  whir!'  w.-n*  lik»ly 
»n  hn  ih'!  grotiiui  of  fotiip-iitiMU  hi-iwi-iu 
|.r.i'.'ctiii"r  ini'l  ileum iil.ini.  \.:\n>\i^-:t\  e 
*J.ir«lrnln(f  wouKl,  jn  ihi-  tjim-.  sci  in  fo  l« 
(he  In-I.  Aii'l  yrl.  <mr  Amriinm  huthrfn^ 
n'l  fitr  frmn  hinsi  hhiud  'm '«  Hkill,  m- 
thiiHtnxtn,  or  *  Aenition,  Hf.cm  In  hf.  fa/fin/f 
l/ir  inul  rniiit  ilnitlftlhj.  *  '  '  Thi'r* 
H  ji'iw  lyiriiT  hcfurp  ii«  n  thirk  ortavfl 
volu'nn  nf  (ihiMit  ."ilK)  (Mlm*^,  I'lUKlr.I  'A 
'fmirife  .iii  the  Thff.ry  iiii«l  I'niciire  of 
Lafitti*C''i>«  Gardoiiingt  uiia|jL«d  lu    Nurlk 


ss 


.\S' 


.t.S^ 


o.  p.  Putnam's  new  pcblicaiiom. 


Xii\hup  (^aritroifig, 

COWTINUED. 

AjIMnm.'    It  )•  bT   A.  J.  Downino,  author  of  ■  Detlnia  for  OMMf/t  |«w4>mmw.  (kf.'    '    '    ' 

TTm  rnlimia  llMtlf  la  heaulifuUx  got  up.  It  ii  full  of  uJmirablx  cjuxmUi4  )iU^4t'tNfMij  ftptmim 
IM  rnry  numernui  lanilncapo  garileninf;  and  arcliiler.tur*!  etti-ru  (•  lux  tutftAA  f  vnttt 
tniiium  fn  l>^M,  alihoiigh  an  cxpcnRivc  work ;  a  coiu'umiiUiU'Jij  wbii:Jj  «  huuumi^  vit«>M  ^iMtMlvwt 
In  Rn^liinil,  liy  an  Kniflivh  I^nilficape  Marilener.  roulilKjirccli' tuiv«  lw(«xlM//'w>1k  "^  '  '  S» 
iniirh  for  ihe  nremiii;  delaila  will  come  forth  hereafter  ;  «u4  liuiu.  IWM  rif'^UfX  innp  Hxi.l^ 
yi'ii  will  rr.K  that  ihja  la  no  lime  to  folil  your  armi,  and  loll  w  ywtf  cLitu.  lu  >l  'M  In**  tmA  (won 
mm  ami  the  prize  already  youra.  Yriu  hare  rot  gaiued  ili«  vieuvy,  iMf  «U  ^t»*  '"/jtmtlim 
*"  (liitil'nrr't  Chrunkle,"  Edited  by  Prof.  LiwUty. 

"  Mr  Pownin?  haa  here  produced  a  very  delightful  worli,  and  tiM  t/ittYmtM  m  ftmn  »nm<1 
rritiriam  and  refined  laMc,  in  matun  of  tit,  are  nut  coufiucd  to  <im  mit  >A  tint  ktim<fif,.*''^-lj»ildtm 
An  Union  JountiU. 

'*T>ie  principle*  he  laya  down  are  not  only  aound,  but  an  ^erdofta^  wi  »  mttrmit  «f(Mm 
Which  la  not  paralleled  in  any  Efi|liab  iiotk.''—l'ro/.  Uiidttf/i  Ctnmdt,  Mn»m. 

"  k  tnaaterly  worlc."— Loudon. 

"  There  ia  no  worli  ezunt  which  can  be  compared  in  abilii/  to  nvntrnKf*  tffitmii  iMV  t^  mt* 
lect.  It  ia  not  oTerlaid  with  elaborate  and  leaned  diaquMlMO,  lilu  ttw  liM(;Mi<  wmSmv  fca(  M 
iraly  practical."— /.ou/ac/Z/e  Journal. 

'  Tht  tiandard  work  on  thia  aubjcct."— SiV/inuin'a  Journal, 


^WW^^wWWP  f     ^r-Ww 


35iiiiMiil0gi(. 

J)€md!8  SijisUm  of  Mineralogy. 

A  Ststem  of  Mmr-  logy— ComprUing  the   mo«t  wtftA 
Dameronfl  wood-cuts  and  four  copper- plat««. 

BY  JAMES  Db  OANA« 

Oeologiil  of  the  U.  8.  Exptoring  HtptdiUm, 

The   third   Edition   of  this  valuable  and   iuifjinuA  wh^,  wkk  timfitM 
addition!  and  reviBions,  bringing  the  euhjuct  down  «//  Otr  yfnftd  tit/at— 
b  now  in  the  Preae,  and  will  be  publiiilwd  Jturiiy.    ^<v  ,  9II  jM. 
"Thla  work  :loe»  ^reat  lionor  to  America,  an<l  eliould  tnalw  Ma  iAmb  tui  4U  tf^itwi  Mi  SiitffaRd 
•ft*  important  and  tntereiting  aciance."— Zxnuton  Alhtnaum. 


iV 


O.   p.   PUTNAM'h  KEW  PUB1J0ATI0N8. 


ImWk  Hforb. 


United  Staiea  Eeploriwj  Mepediti<M8  ; 
BcmsTinc  8EaiE& 
Geology  of  the  United  States  Exploring  Expedition. 

BY    PROF.  JAMES    0.    DANA. 

In  a  magnificent  quarto  volume,  illustrated  with  Mapg  and  Woodcuts,  and  a 
Folio  A'laB  of  21  Plate*,  $15. 

Zoophites. 

BY  JAMU   a   DANA. 

^  "ci"^?"'''""'  ^^  volume,  Oir,;  accompanied  by  a  aplendid  folio  Atlaa  of 
61  Plates,  colored  in  tlie  invit  exijuiaitc  manner,  half  morocco,  $30. 

The  Races  of  Man, 

And  their  Geographical  Diitribution. 
BY   CHARLES   FIOKERINQ. 

1  vol.  4to,  illuMrated  with  Colored  Plates,  $10. 

Ethnography  and  Philology. 

BY    HORATIO    HALE. 

In  a  magnificent  quarto  volume,  $10. 


Nbrtlb  Anwican  Syha  ; 

Or,  A  Description  of  the  Forest  Trees  of  the  United  Staies,  Canada,  and  No- 
va Scotia,  considered  particalarljr  with  reKpect  to  their  use  in  the  Arts  and 
their  introduction  into  Commerce  j  to  which  is  added  a  description  of  the 
most  useful  of  the  Europ<'an  Forest  Trees.    Translated  from  the  French  of 
F.   ANDREW   MICHAUX. 
New  Edition,  Revised  and  Improved. 
With  Notes  by  J.  J.  Bmith.     Handsomely  printed  on  fine  paper,  and  illus- 


trated by  156  Engravings,  colored  in  the  most  exquisite  style 
toyal  8vo,  cloth,  $24. 


3  vols. 


North  Amerkcm  Syha:  The  Cmtirmatum. 

BY   THOMAS   NUTTALL. 

Illustrated  by  123  Flales,  finely  colored.    3  toIs.  8va 

17a 


O.   p.   PUTNAM  S   KEW   PUBLICATIONS. 


Important  SSotaniral  50orb. 

The  Oenera  of  tlie  Plants  of  tlie  United  States. 

Genera  Flone  Boreali-Orientali  Illustrata :  illustrated  by  Figures  and  Ana> 
Ifsea  from  Nature,  by  Isanc  Spra(fuc.     Superintended,  with  description!, 
Su...  by  Prof  A.  GaiV.     Vol.  I,  plates  1—100,  8vo,  cloth,  $6.     Vol.  II, 
plates,  8to,  cloth,  96- 
*,*   The  Sicond  rolum^  tciU  b*.  rtathj  in  Augiut. 

'The  de«i|fn  of  ihin  work  in  to  illuiitra'e  ihe  Bowny  of  tlio  United  Statcn  by  figure*,  wi(h  full 
analyiies  of  one  or  more  ffperioi  of  each  gtniiff,  accompnnied  by  tleflcrtplivo  generic  rhararterfl  and 
critical  obeervati'MU.    The  fi^iiren  are  in  .ill  c.-vie*  ilrawn  directly  from  nature."— i'x/.  Prfftwr. 

','  Thie  ia  undoubtedly  the  mom  important  boi.inicaI  work  ever  publlfhcd  In  tlio  United  Slate*. 
The  IlluMraliona  are  executed  ia  a  Tery  aupcrior  style.  U.  P.  Putnam  ia  now  the  aula  publuher 
of  the  work. 


Flora  of  North  Am.ei'ica  ; 

Containing  Dej-criptionii  of  alt  the  known  Indigenous  and  Naturalized  Plants 
growing  north  of  Mexico ;  according  to  the  Natural  System.  By  Prof 
JoH!«  ToMEr  and  Prof  A.  Gray.     Vol.  I,  8vo,  cloth,  $G. 

The  same.  Part  I  to  VI,  each  gl  50:  Part  VII,  ^. 

*  *  Thia  elaborate  an>l  raliuble  work  will  form  thres  Tolumea,  ocuiro.    Tho  remainder  will 
b*  linuad  >a  aooo  aa  practicable. 


Prof.  Crray's  Botanical  Text  Book., 

FoK  CoLLioEs  AX'j  HiGH  SCHOOLS.     New  Edition,  with  about  1000  Engraringi 
on  Wood.     Large  13ino,  cloth,  $1  75. 


Part  I. — An  Imrodoction  to  Structural  and  Physiological  Botany. 
Part  II. — The  Prin<iple»  of  Syatemnllc  Botany  ;  with  an  Account  of  the  Chief 
Natural  Families  of  the  Vegetable  Kingdoms,  &c.  &c. 

*.'  Thia  ia  by  far  th»  mo«  romprehen'ive.  clear  ami  correct  textbook  on  Botany  now  in  u»e. 
It  ia  Inimduced  in  ibe  Lriiremiy  of  Edinburgh,  and  ia  u.°eit  in  Harvard  and  many  other  American 
Collefea. 

Prof.  Oral/ 1  Manual  of  Ihe  Blitny  of  Ihe  Xrirlhem  Sinlet.    12mo.    tH. 

18 


C>r-.aii.'  MarcJi  1.1H."»'I. 


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of. 


rUl 


18> 


ie( 


HJasIjington  Sruing's  JPorb. 

AUTHORS  RKVISCD  KDITIO.V 
Elegantly  printed  in  15  vols,  (including  new  works;  and  neatly  bound  in  dark  clotn. 


I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XI. 

XII. 

XIII. 

•XIV. 

♦XV. 

•XVI. 


Knickerbocker's  New-  York 
The  Sketch  Book      - 


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^1  25. 
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Columbus  and  His  Companimia     3  vols.  4  00- 


Bracebridge  Ifnll  .        .        . 

Talcs  of  a  Traceller 
Astoria,  (pp.  510  with  map)  - 
The  Crayon  Miscillany    - 
Capt.  Boniiffilles  Adventures,  map 
Oliver  Goldsmith,  a  Biography   • 

[  Mahomet  and  his  Successors 

The  Conquest  of  Granada  - 
The  Alhambra  .        .        . 

[A  new  volume.]  -        -        -        - 


1vol. 

1  25. 

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1vol. 

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I7  bound  in  half  calf,  7B 

*  ThoK  marked  thus  are  not  yet  ready. 

•.•  Either  vnlume,  or  complete  een  mar  «1»  be  had  rabMamlally  bound  in 
•ztra ;  half  morocco  tl  extra ;  full  calf,  tl  '£>  ei'.ra. 

NOTICES  OF  THE  KEW  EDITIOS  OT  IKVT50. 

"The  tyjiofrnphy  of  thia  wrif"  in  all  thai  couM  t<f  r^nr^d.  Nn:hin?  mperior  to  It  haa  issuetl 
from  the  Araerioan  press.  Irvine  will  be  an>'t(iE  Am.rw'an  t\vf\r^  what  Oolilrtmith  is  among 
those  of  the  Faiherlaiid.  His  wnrlt^  have  fKrt  lietn  cr"w-!^l  from  our  shelvps  by  the  hoi^is  of  new 
claimants  for  pH„!ic  favnr.  wh"  havi' :  ii>«arc)  tuifn  <tir  Sk^'rh  n*"!!!  was  in  every  body's  hands. 
We  liave  often  wnrotereil  in  romm'iti  w.'nh  oih*T  rt-H-ierm.  why  tb^ro  was  tio  irnoil  Amcricnn  edition 
of  his  writings;  lint  his  place  intiur  litprai*y  aff*Tt|'»»»*  r^maifts  as  high  a.-*  ever.  The  desideratum 
of  whii'h  we'  sjicnlc.  is  now  to  tie  snppfied  by  Mr  Pmnam  ;  an«I  we  are  now  to  have  an  eleeant 
uniform  edition  of  the  works  of  our  loremunt  writer  in  the  U'lnleltrtt  ilepartmcnt  of  liicra  ure." 
^Boston  Evening  Tt  irucript. 

"The  announcement  that  a  new  e^iition  of  the  work"  of  this  ailmired  author  waa  In  progress, 
haa  led  us  to  revert  with  pleasure  to  the  de!islit  we  ^j..ye.t  in  our  first  acquaintance  with  him 
through  his  charming  Ihwkb.  He  wa»  the  first  «f  Am<'n<-aii  writers  in  the  department  of  elegant 
literature  who  ohtained  a  wide  name  and  fatii.'  in  ihe  'M  world,  fireat  Britain.  France,  Northern 
and  Southern  Europeans  alike  familiar  with  lit*  -Se'tstiriril  an.)  most  henliliful  writings,  and 
doutitlesa  his  own  goo*l  standinir  atir'-ad  lia.  d'**;'-  uyre  ban  anv  r.ther  sintrle  cause  to  introduce 
the  names  and  works  of  others  of  nur  comtrj-men  Tb*'e  10  a  charm  about  his  writings  to  which 
old  and  youns,  the  educated  and  the  simiile.  bear  clwrful  witness.  •  •  •  Several  new  works 
have  not  yet  seen  the  lleht.  AnionK  these  is  •nnoiiurnl  a  I.ife  of  Mohammed,  ami  a  I.ile  of 
Washington  As  to  the  latter  subject  for  a  volume,  we  can  only  sav,  thai  if  another  I.ife  of  Wash- 
infton  needs  he  written— which  we  doubt— we  should  (irefer.  of  all  men,  to  have  Washington 
Irving  undertake  it.  The  other  promi>e.l  bi<i»raphy.  the  I.ife  of  Mohammed,  is  a  erand.  an  unex 
hausted,  and  a  most  invitins  theme.  It  has  never  yi  been  well  ireateil.  nor  is  it  probable  that 
there  Is  a  man  on  thia  Continent  Itetier  qualitie.1  to  treat  it  with  discrimination  and  power,  and 
with  faithfulness  to  the  truth,  than  Washinet'Ki  Irvine.  If  our  country  can  be  covered  with  a 
luge  issue  of  his  writings,  it  will  nia»-  some  ameivli  for  the  (lond  of  trumpery  whicli  the  Praia 
haa  poured  over  it."— CA'nXian  Kigitlet. 

■Tha  moatuateful  and  alegant  book,  'hicit  ltarecT«r  unwd  from  iha  American  PrMa."—7Vi6. 

19 


O.  p.   PUTNAJi'h   new  PtTBLICATIONS. 


FENIMCRE  COOPER'S  EARLY  WORKS. 

THE    AlTTHOa's    REVISED    EDITION, 

The  spy :  a  Tale  of  the  Neutral  Ormind. 

New  Edition.     Revised,  &c  ,  with  Introduction  and  No.es,  hanciiomfljr 
printed,  uniform  witii  the  SIvetch'Booit,  &c.     ISmo,  cloth,  01  ''^^^• 


The  Pilot :  a  Tale  of  the  Sea. 

ISmo,  cloth,  $1  35. 


The  Ued  Mover. 


19mo,  cloth,  $1  35. 


The  Water  Witch. 

ISmo,  cloth,  $  1  35.    (In  prea.) 


The  Two  Admirals. 

13mo,  cloth,  $1  35.    (In  prew.) 


Wing  and  Wing. 


13mo,  cloth,  $1  35.    (In  pren.) 


MR.  COOPER'S  NEW  WORK. 
The  Ways  of  the  Ilotir. 

13mo,  uniform  with  "  The  Spy." 

" The  public  will  coritmlly  welcome  a  new  ami  complete  oliiion  of  thia n'.iitmr's  ailmirable  tales, 
reviBCil,  correcieil,  and  lllusiraleil  wild  noiea  hy  himself.  This  \»  No.  I  of  the  new  seriea,  and  i« 
got  up  In  ihe  Biyle  of  Irvine's  works,  which  we  hiive  over  and  over  asain  commended  As  for  the 
tale  iueif,  Ihcrc  Is  no  need  lo  speak  of  ii.  It  has  a  place  on  0VC17  shelf,  and  ai  once  made  the  fame 
of  In  author,  ll  is  an  abnolule  pleasure  to  llie  lover  of  booka  10  find  iho  ullra-cheap  system  going 
out  of  vogue."— .^.  Y.Albion. 

"We  are  happy  10  sec  Mr.  Putnam  bringing  out  lhc«e  American  classics,  the  works  of  Cooper 
»nd  Irving,  to  refresh  ihe  present  generation  as  ihey  amused  Ihe  last.  We  belong,  as  their  two 
finn  authors  do,  10  boili.  if  men  of  a  buoyant  temper  and  an  unflaBelng  spirit  ever  pass  from  ono 
generation  to  another.  We  remember,  as  of  yc»terday,  with  what  easerncss  we  ilriink  in  the  talo 
of  'The  Spy,'  when  it  first  saw  the  lielit;  anil  how  we  ailmired  the  genius  of  its  author,  from  the 
beauty  of  us  production.  We  can  enjoy  it  still ;  and  so  will  every  American  who  has  tasto  enough 
lo  appreciate  an  American  narrative,  told  so  well  by  an  American  vmtt."— Washington  Union. 

" 'The  Spy  '  lathe  most  truly  national  fiction  tvcr  produced  in  America.  •  •  '  It  is  esteemed 
abroad  even  more  than  at  home,  for  ll  has  l>eeri  translated  into  almost  every  European  language, 
ind  the  prejudiced  critics  of  the  North  British  Review  have  almost  consented  10  give  il  rank  with 
'  Tto  Aniiquarjr '  and '  Old  Moruiliijr.'  "—Uichmond  Timet. 

20 


O.   p.  PUTNAJi's  NEW  PUllLIOATIONa. 


fir 


iilu, 
nil  In 
ir  \\i» 
I'll  me 
;uing 


loper 
iwo 
one 
tsla 
tha 
ouih 
nioh. 

omed 


3Jtllta  ItWm—P.m  i»nrka. 

CONTINUED. 

MISS    SEDGWICK'S   WORKS. 

THE  author's  revised  edition, 

Elegantly  printed,  unirorm  with  the  new  editions  of  Irving,  Cooper,  &e. 

Clarence ;  oi\  Twenty  Ymva  Since. 

With  Portrait  and  ViBnette.     12ino,  cloth,  f  1  25. 


liedwood:  a  Tale. 

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19mu,  cloth,  $1  its. 


A  New  England  Tale. 


1  vol.  12mo,  ,'lolh.     (In  press.) 

"It  )?lrefi  un  sreat  plraauro  lo  nnnniinrn  ilini  llin  wnrk»  iif  Mim  '■  M.  Secluwii-k  .ire  ikjW  nppc.Tr. 
Ini;  ill  a  iln^w  wnrilij'  df  tlirir  cxhIiimI  wnrili.  Tlic  iiiiiluir  ol  Ki'ilwcnnl,  llo|ii^  Lrsiir,  ('lurvMoe, 
*c.,  Ac  .  \*  popiiltir,  iicii  niily  in  iliw  dpiiiiiry,  but  in  ffniii  llriiuin  ;  uml  lier  wurkB,  wherever  cir- 
culutt'il,  iln  vfiNL'iinal  Hcrvice  In  iho  cauwj  til'  Anirrimn  luiiern." 

"Tills  wricH  I*  (leniiriipil  lo  embrarc  Ihu  ciiiiipliMi.  wnrku  of  Mi«"  Soiliiwjrk,  who  Iirh  not  been 
Inaptly  ralleil  *  iliR  AiiiKncan  Kdi^rworili.'  Clarfiiri)  posr'pn.m'H  a  vrry  liii:li  ilrL'i'rc  oi  niurii,  nnil 
WfMi  (IcwrvcK  Id  iHt  witlt'ly  known  and  aitmireil,  ud  a  piciiiru  of  Anierii'aii  liiu  at  a  rcmott;  {icriud 
of  otir  national  I'nrecr." 

"  It  is  now  nearly  twenty  years  nince  '  ninrcnro  '  first  nmilc  in  appearance,  and  It  wii«  then  re. 
ceived  Willi  threat  I'avor.  Siiire  that  limn  ilit>  ptiblie  tasie  ban  niiilerifoiip  a  ron-iiilerahjo  I'banire, 
anil  perhaiiK  not  for  the  lioiier.  The  licunlioui  novels  of  (leo.  Kami,  anil  othii»  of  the  French 
RchtMil,  Willi  ihcir  nophisiical  philosophy,  shallow  philanlhrony,  and  aitrnctive  vice,  have  impaneit 
a  morbid  desire  for  exciiemeni,  iliat  liaa  more  or  less  vitiaied  ihe  public  lame,  and  we  fear,  render- 
ed less  attrarilvu  the  American  ppirit,  moral  lone,  and  amiable  pnlliwophy,  which  diKtiiiitiiitih  tha 
work"  of  Ml»"  Sedawick,  clothed  ihoiiu'h  they  are  Willi  a  trace  of  style,  ihe  want  of  whirli,  inaomo 
of  the  foreiifii  works  lo  which  we  allude,  is  supplii'd  Willi  ro^T-colored  vice.  We  trust,  liowever, 
thai  the  piciuresiiue  delineations  »{  New  Kni^land  niiinncrs  will  not,  in  our  mora)  and  solier-mind* 
ed  comniiiiiiiv,  be  abanduntid  for  the  tinsi'l  of  Dritish  nociety,  or  the  glare  of  I'arulon  vice."— 
I}enwcralif  It':  r  tew. 


Biogixquh  ia  Literaria  ; 

Or,  Biographical  Sketches  of  my  Literary  Life  and  Opinions. 
BY   9AMUEL   TAYLOR   COLERIDGE. 

From  the  Second  London  Edition,  prepared  for  publication  by  the  Hon.  Henry 
Nelson  Coleridge.     3  vols.  12ino,     $3. 

"Ills  mind  contains  an  astonishing  mass  of  all  sorts  of  knowledi;e,  while  in  Ids  pnwer  and  man. 
•er  of  piitiliiit  It  III  use,  he  displays  more  of  what  we  mean  by  Uie  term  genius  than  .my  mortal  1 
aver  saw  or  ever  ex|jeci  to  sm  " — John  Fvater. 


Hood'' a  Poems. 

Poems. 

BY    THOMAS    HOOD. 

1  Tol.  19mo,  cloth,  75  cts. ;  cloth  gill,  $1. 
This  is  a  companion  volume  to  Hood's  "  Froae  and  Verie,"  comprising  nil  th« 
Poems  not  in  that  volume.     The  two  volumes  totte^iicr  contain  all  Hood'l 
Poemi  and  the  beat  of  his  Prose  writing!. 

31 


a.   p.   PUTNAM'S   NEW   PUBLICATIONS. 


M\t5  irttrrs— Jim  IMh. 


CONTINUED. 


MISS    BREMER'S    WORKS. 
TiiE  author's  edition. 

T/te  Keighhor-i-:  a  Uhle  of  Every  Day  Life. 

A  New  utiil  R''vi»c(l  Kdition,  wilh  mi  Introduction  written  rxprepsly  for  thil 
KililioM  by  Miss  lireiiirr.  I'Jmo,  cloth.  Uniform  with  Irving's,  Cooper's, 
nnd  .Scdiiwick's  Worlis  ;  mid  Illustrated  with  Portrait,  and  View  of  the 
Author's  Residence.     §1. 


Ik 


ome. 

1  vol.  liiiiiu,  $1.     (To  be  followed  by  other  volumes  nt  inicrvnls) 

"  Mi-J-^  Hrrnii'r'.x  \V(irk.-»  Ii.ivo  foiuul  a  liome  nml  a  firrsiilc  wolcomo  in  Ihe  Uiiitf.I  Sialea,  nbnva 
tho»i' fit' iiKisi  iiny  cttlicr  niiihor  III  laiL'  in  itit- liclil  nf  llMTatiiru,  and  we  are  t^laii  d*  i«t'e  thai  Mr. 
Puiiiain  i-*  .ilniiii  10  Give  tlieni  a  iiKirc  pernununi  luriuihaii  ihul  in  which  they  were  lirsi  iiresented 
10  ihi'  |iul)lic." 

'•(»tu'  ol  ihe  viTV  be.>^t  doinrstji!  iiovclfl  dial  we  have  ever  read.  A  goiMl  libtary  eilition  of  Miss 
Ureiner':!  works  ha.t  lou;»  been  wauled."— .V.  V.  Mirror. 

**Tho  chiff  exrellfiM'i'  and  atirariimi  of  Mi->f4  IJiemer's  wriiiiigs  lies  in  the  cental  play  of  the 
doini'Miii*  litUciionj*  over  then-  evi-ry  \kvz*\  which  ninkes  hmne  acharmeil  spot— the  reniie  ol  earthly 
iitys.  She  piciuie-*  to  the  \\W  the  fitnple.  hiippy  homes  of  her  native  country,  and  therein  painta 
also  what  i-4  coinninn  lo  the  honien  ol  athTiitiu  and  happinesa  every  where.  There  in, tiMi, ditltised 
(hron-fii  her  pui.'*-*  a  synipaihy  wnh  the  hnnthler  clas.-<eH  of  noriely,  with  ihe  poor,  the  deprcsned, 
the  wronged,  whudi  Hori)eiitni'<:  in.ikes  her^-nnple  (ah>  a  powerlnl  plea  Inr  social  reform.  'I bin  fea- 
turc  of  her  wriiint.'!*  has  aiti-iicied  to  Mish  Hrt-uier  many  liearia  in  this  land  of  freedom  and  nf  do* 
inesiic  joy.  and  we  doubi  not  ih.it  in  her  pn'--ini  vi.-it  lo  America  clie  will  be  welcnnieil  to  many  a 
home  which  \v,\a  lieen  eti'ivt-nrd  hy  her  trraci-inl  and  uifiriiciive  f)torie.'4  of  Swelh^<h  life,  and  will 
find  ihiit  trni?  Ii'ini**s  and  uiii'  hi'itri«  are  in  'heir  ensenlial  features  cv^ry  where  the  same.  Il  is  a 
graiil>in>:  cnriiin<i;ince,  in  cohnriMion  wtih  iliis  visit,  ih.ii  Mr.  rutuani  bus  convnenced  the  publi- 
ration  n]  a  new  ,niil  iinironn  eHiuon  oi  Mi.'^.-^  llremer'n  wurkfl,  reviM-d  by  hernelf,  and  has  given  lier 
'  the  privileL'es  ni  a  native  author.'  This  act,  ut  once  jusi  and  generous,  will  doubtletis  bj  appre- 
cialed  by  the  public."— /H</e;M>m/e7i/. 


GOLDSMITH'S    WORKS. 
The  Wovh^  <f  Olivet'  Guhhmith; 

Including  a  Variety  of  Pieces  now  first  collected. 
BY    JAMES    PRIOR. 
Complete  in   t  v<Ms.   12mi,  elegantly  printed,  uniform  in  style  with  lining, 
Cooper,  &c.       With  Vignettes  engraved  on  steel.      Cloth,  $5. 

"The  honk  will  embnice  (piite  a  library  in  itnelf;  and  the  polished  style  of  the  accomplished 
author  should  litcome  a  model  lo  the  caretcas  scribblera  of  the  present  day.  The  lypugrnphy  of 
Ihe  work  irt  htaniiliil.''  — .V.  V,  Mirror. 

"  For  ronnnencniL'  Jin  Aineric;m  editi  in  of  Prior';*  Mi«cellantMiiis  Work."  of  Goldsniiih,  Mr.  Put- 
nam will  be  iliiMiked  by  mnny  a  man  o'  leiters  ihronBhout  the  country  ''—Huston  Pout, 

•'  Any  ihnu!  niul  every  thniL'  written  by  the  ijenial  (toldr'inlih  is  not  oi  ly  worthy  nf  preservation 
on  '>nr*Hhe!ve-<,  bo*  \aluiihle  iis  amoiUd  of  pure  Kniilish  and  classic  Iwauty."— A>'tffir/r  Ombj  Adv, 

"  The  Mi^ccllanei'iis  Workn  ol  (;nldsmi(h  is  a  reprint  of  ihe  English  ethiion  of  Dr.  Prior,  and 
the  only  complete  collection  of  the  wriliiiifs  o|  a  man,  to  use  the  lamiu.tLa*  of  Dr.  .InhiiMin.  *  of  such 
variety  ot  pipwers.  iind  such  hdicity  of  performance,  ih.it  he  always  seemed  to  do  be<:|  ihat  which 
,he  was  dome  :  a  man  who  hnd  the  art  of  beinu  minule  without  ledit)usiie.''S,  and  tienc/al  without 
confusinii;  whose  languai^e  was  copious  withuitl  exuberance,  exact  without  constraint,  and  tiosy 
Witliout  weakness.'  '* 

'•  lloth  in  (»r"«e  nnd  vcr^e.  no  writer  can  be  more  fitly  placed  among  the  English  classics,  (ha|i 
G(..dsmiih  We  are  rejniced,  tloodeit  as  we  are  hy  so  many  worthless  publications,  lo  see  so  av 
Ml'anl  an  eduioii  of  his  collected  works."— CV  rUttan  Inquirer, 

22 


G.  P.  Putnam's  new  publications. 


Mks  XiWm—Mm  iDnrks. 


CONTINVID. 

Oratiom,  and  Occasional  Discourses. 

BY    REV.  GEORGE    W.  BETHUNE,  D.D. 

1  vol.  12ino,  doth,  $1  25. 

nenro  lake     fro  n  ihp     IrJ  TJ  r '''  '.""•■"!"'""'k>'''""«  '"'"''  "'"'  "'«  ""an  ,.f  nwrc  m.ilure  expB- 
nenro,  laKo  ii  Irorn  the  hbrarysliolf,  anil  revno  the  heart  at  its  perusal."— C'omfrciVi/  Adv 

"rnniairiinj  an  ilhistra|inn  of  American  r.ileradire,  of  which  our  countrymen  may  feel  iuMlT 
prou.l,  ai-.l  ..a  lurnishin.;  rich  iiiiollectua:  repasts  for  leisure  hours."-A'.  Y  Uerurllfr 

"  We  woiilil  wish  that  they  might  he  read  attentively  by  all  in  our  country.  "-JV.  y.  Erangelnt. 

"  No  alTeitation,  no  tran»ieiiilciitali.»m,  but  the  most  manly  gooil  sense  exnrcsaeil  in  n  aivla  u 
pure  and  transparent  m  it  is  fresh  and  vigorous.  '-.We(A<«/,/<  Quarler™Iinieu 


The  Shakspeare  Calendar  ; 

Or,  Wit  and  Wisdom  for  Every  Day  in  the  Year. 
EDITED   BY    W.  C.  RICHARDS. 

In  a  very  ncal  volume,  32mo,  cloth,  38  els. ;  cloth  gilt,  63  cts. 


Tlie  Fathers  of  New  England: 

An  Oration  before  the  New  England  Society,  New- York,  Dec.  21, 1849. 
BY   REV.  HORACE    BUSHNELL,  D.  D. 

12mo,  paper,  12J  ;  clotli  limp,  25  els. 


Auricidar  Confession  in  tJie  Prot.  Episcopal  Glmrch. 

.  V  Series  of  Letters  to  a  Friend  in  North  Carolina. 

BY    A    PROTESTANT    EPISCOPALIAN. 

12mo,  paper,  25  cts.  ;  cloth  limp,  31  cts. 


The  Iliad  of  Homer  ;  with  Elaxman^s  Designs. 
Uomer\'i  Iliad. 

TRANSLATED    BY    WILLIAM    COWPER. 

Edited  by  Robert  Southcy,  LL.D.  With  Notes  by  M.  A.  Dwioht.  A  iplen- 
did  edition  on  large  paper.  Illustrated  with  Twelve  Knfjravings  in  Ont- 
line,  from  Designs  by  Flaxmun.  Royal  8vo,  cloth,  $3 ;  cloth  gilt, 
$3  50;   also  a  cheaper  edition  for  schools,  $1  25. 


Rtiral  Hours :  Aspects  of  Nature  in  the  Four  Seasons  f 

13rao,  cloth. 
93 


SN^ 


sv 


< 

-s 


ss 


O.   p.   PUTNAM  S   NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


36illfa  XtWm—Mm  UJnrk 

C0KTI1IU/?D. 

American  Historical  amd  Litera/ry  Civriodtiea; 

Consisting  of  Fac-similes  of  original  Drciments  relating  to  the  Events  of  the 
Revolution,  &c.,  &o. ;  with  a  Varir  ly  of  Reliques,  Antiquities,  and  Modern 
Autographs.  Collected  and  edited  by  John  Jat  Smith  and  Joun  J.  Wat- 
son.    1  vol.  small  folio,  half  morocco,  gilt  edfiee,  $6. 

"Thli  rare  and  curious  book  consista  ofa  ercat  Tarlety  of  hir  orical  and  lilerary  curiosities,  i.-ich 
aa  would  delight  the  antiquary,  collected  wiin  care  and  latnr,  and  arranged  with  uuie  in  a  aplendid 
Tolunie."— i'rori'dence  JaumaL 


St.  Leger;  a;*,  The  Threads  of  Life. 

SECOND  EDITION. 

I  vol.  12mo,  cloth,  $1. 

"  We  have  read  it  with  a  more  absorbed  interest  than  has  been  awakened  by  any  fiction  that 
has  come  under  our  notice  Itirn  Ions;  lime.  *  *  It  in  a  stranire,  wilil  narrative.  *  '  The  inci- 
denU  strung  ticrether  are  hold,  strikiiiE.nriil  original.  '  *  The  most  suci-esstul  debut  in  fiction 
thai  has  occurreil  in  tliis  country  for  many  years." — Phila.  Evening  Dultetin. 

"The  author  is  evidently  well  schooled  in  German  mclfphysics,  but  hold.s  that  the  proper  study 
of  mankind  is  man :  he  is  a  thinker,  and  lias  nut  only  the  power  to  set  others  to  iliinkiii!^.  but  uf 
uttering  for  others  thoiighta  for  which  they  have  never  found  a  tongue."— //os/on  Trniiacript. 

"  It  is  a  book  of  power.  Its  author  has  genius ;  genius  for  description,  for  character,  and  dia- 
logue."— Boston  Post. 

"  Full  of  ihouijlit  and  sentiment,  of  a  thoroughly  original  cast,  and  will  make  a  permanent  im- 
pression on  the  public  mind." — Commercittt  Aao. 

"  Abouiiiling  in  the  most  thrilling  interest  in  narrative  ami  rmixim."—Metropolii. 

"  The  book  exhibits  much  power  on  the  part  of  the  author  "—Boston  Timet. 

"  Containa  rnaiiy  beautiful  ihoughia,  expressed  in  an  agreeable  manner."— C'amAri'i/jre  CAronicte. 


The  King  of  tfie  Ilurons. 

By  the  Author  of  "  The  First  of  the  Knickerbockers. ' 

ISiWO,  cloth,  $1  ;  paper,  "Sets. 

"  The  heat  strictly  American  novel  we  have  read  for  a  long  while.  As  leaf  after  leaf  of  pleasing 
description,  hajipy  iiiirrative,  and  quiet  humor  was  turned  backwards  beiieiiili  t  iir  fingers,  wo 
yielded  tu  the  (asciiiatitig  interest  of  the  late,  and  soon  fouml  ourselves  fioiiiing  huoyiintly  and 
swilily  along  on  the  wings  of  imagination,  as,  wtit'ii  twenty  years  younger,  one  of  Conner's  besisto* 
ries  seduced  us  from  our  gravest  duties  tn  wander  with  him  over  ocean  and  prairie.  So  we  read  on 
and  on,  enjoying  once  more  our  youth's  paradise,  *a  txif'a  by  the  fireside  and  the  lost  new  novel,' 
until  we  reached  that  worst  of  all  pages  in  il— the  final  one."— I.i(erary  World. 


literary  1 
'  destined  tu  be  read  with  pleasure  wherever  it 


I  pages  1 

"  In  every  respect  a  clever  and  spirited  book  "- 
finds  adniittanco." — Boston  Post. 

"  Il  is  a  iKiok  which  will  be  read  with  unflagiring  interest  In  the  end,  and  will  le.ive  the  impren- 
■ion  on  iho  mind  of  the  reader  that  the  author  is  entitled  In  a  high  rank  among  the  writers  of  ro- 
mantic fiction."— jUu/dmore  Patriot. 

"Abounds  in  the  moat  stirring  evonta,  described  in  the  most  graphic  manner."— iViir.  JournaS. 


(BY  THE  SAME   AtmiOX.) 

The  .First  of  the  Kniclcerhockei's. 

Second  edition.     ISmo,  75  ctt. 

The  Young  Patroon. 


l?.no,  50  ctB> 
•24 


o.  p.  Putnam's  new  publications. 


%tM  Irttrrs— Jim  i»ntks. 


COKTINtTKD. 


EXTRAORDINARY  AND  ROMANTIC  ADVENTURPS. 


"Ktloolah   will   be  thb    biok." 


KcdoolaJt 


oi\  J<mrneyinrfs  to  the  DJfhel  Knm/ri. 

An  Autobiography  of  Jo»a.  Romer. 


EDITED  BY  W.  8.  MAYO,  M.  D. 
13mo,  cloth,  $1  25 ;  oIro  a  cheap  edition,  double  columnB,  paper  corera,  SO  eta. 

"  The  mom  iiinsiilar  nnd  cnpiivntinn  narmlivc  pince  Rnhinson  Oruioc.'*— //unw  Journal. 

" '  Knioiilah  will  ho  'The  Ilimk.'  If  ll  iVvn  not  pxciie  n  rtnmiwn  In  Ihe  rradln^  public  we  wiH 
DC  perfectly  coiiiented  to  difltrunt  our  Judgment  In  xtirh  matters  in  future." — Merchant's  Juumal, 

"  Itjr  far  the  most  attractive  and  enlertaininu  book  we  have  read  aince  Ihe  days  we  were  faaci 
nated  by  the  chef  d'tcuvre  of  l>t<f<.n  or  the  graceful  invRiiiionN  of  the  Arabian  NUhta.  It  in  truly  aa 
American  novel—not  wholly  AiniTtran  in  <«ceiipry,  but  American  in  character  and  American  ip 
ecntiment  "~17.  S.  Afngaxine  ami  Drntorralic  iiftintc. 

"  We  have  never  read  a  work  of  fiction  with  more  iniercal,  and  we  may  ndil,  profii— tombininit 
aa  It  doea,  with  the  moat  excilins  and  romantic  adventure^,  n  sreat  deal  of  information  of  various 
kinda.  The  heroine,  Kabmlah,  ia  ulK'Ut  an  charming  and  (1eli.*aie  a  ftpecimen  of  feminine  nature. 
as  we  recollect  in  anv  work  of  imagination  or  fancy.  We  will  answer  for  it  that  all  readera  will 
be  perfectly  delighted  with  \wr.'*~Juitnnil  of  Ktlucntutn. 

"  We  have  met  with  no  m>Hlem  work  of  fic ilon  thai  has  m  eniranceil  in.  The  former  part  of 
Raloolah  carries  iho  reader  captive  by  the  same  irrepi-.'tible  charm  thai  i«  found  in  the  pages  of 
Iloblnson  Crusoe,  than  which  imperishable  worl'.  however,  It  prescnia  a  wider  and  more  variad 
fielil  of  adventure  ;  while  the  latter  pari  expanils  Into  pceiies  of  t<plondor,  magnificence,  and  eo* 
Chanlment,  UMur|>aased  by  thorn  of  the  Arabian  Nighui'  Enieriainment."— Corn.  Adverlinr. 


Letters  from  the  Allegliany  Mmintaw.^. 

BY  CHARLES  LANMAN, 

Librarian  of  the  War  Department ;  Author  of^'A  Summer  in  Ihe  Wildemeu,"  ^e. 

12mo,  7.5  ots. 

•  •  Theae  letters  are  deacrlptive  of  one  of  the  most  Inieresling  regions  In  the  old  stalea  of  th« 
Union,  which  has  never  liefore  been  described  by  any  traveller,  and  they  will  be  found  to  contain  a 

Seat  amount  of  ^'Billable  informaiion,  as  widt  as  niany  elniracterisiic  anecdoiea  and  legends  of 
a  weaterr  oarta  of  North  and  South  C.iiolina,  Georgia,  a.  i  Tennenea. 


The  Tttrhhh  Ermiurj  EnfertainmenfM : 

The  Wondern  of  Mi-innrlnld  nnd  the  Unrilies  of  Anerdotea.     By  Amno  Bn 
Hemdeh,  the  Kiynyn.     Trnnslnted  from  the  TtirkiBh. 

BY  JOHN  P.  BROWN.  ESQ., 

Dragoman  of  the  I.efnlirm  nf  the  Vnileil  .VhiVa,  nl  Conntanlinople. 
l3mo.       clnih,  l|l. 

"It  Ishy  ftir  Ihe  most  Inlerestlnir  honk  thai  ha«  been  pnhl|«l  ed  al  ronslantlnople  for  a  Inig  time. 
•  *  •  The  historical  anil  amn'ing  interest  of  the  iwo  bun  Ired  and  seven  cnrlo.iiies.  which  I 
might  call  anecdotes,  ii  ««  oIivIoik,"  tier— V'ln  Hammer  the  relehrnl'ii  Orienlalitt.  to  tht 
Trantlatnr. 

•"Tills  book  Is  me  of  the  moat  iniematlng  and  amusing  which  has  appeared  "—Jimr.  Atiatiptt 

ar> 


a.  p.   PUTNAM'S   NEW   PUBU0ATION8. 


Bulwer  and  Forbes  on  the  Water  Treatment. 

tAiteA,  with  additional  matter,  by  Roland  S.  Houghton,  A.  M.,  M.  D.     On* 
volume,  13mo,  cloth,  75  cts. 

CONTENTS. 

*  l|liiliiMr'ii"Cnnf«i«ioiuara  WaterPaiiciu."  II.  Dr.  Forbes  on  ll/JropaihT.  m.  Rersarlu 
(KUbiihim  and  ihe  Water  TreaimenI,  by  Erasmus  Wilsori,  M  D,  F.  R.  S,auihorof  ''Wil-Bn't 
Aiw.imy, '  ■'  Wilicm  on  Healihy  Skin,"  *c.  IV.  Medical  Opinions,  by  Sir  Clmrles  ScuiUinore, 
^fcriwrt  Whvo,  Dra  (.'ooke,  Freeman,  Healhcoie,  *c.  V.  Obsorvaiioiu  on  Hygiene  an<l  tha  tVaUi 
IfAMtmeni,  'i>y  th«  Etiiior. 

1\vi  nM\m  a<  this  work  is  to  interest  literary  and  professional  men,  and  all  other  perwn*  of  w- 
i1)miHi7  hnhiis  or  piimnits  in  the  subject  of  Hygiene  and  the  Water  Treatment,  la  attract  their 
itti*ni)tMi  to  ibe  importanre  of  acquiring  a  correct  knowledge  oi'  llealtli,  with  a  view  ui  'he  j  r^ 
iMWhtn  and  rure  of  disease  by  ilyeicnic  management,  aiil  to  deliua  those  leading  geural  prioci- 
iMm  vrhieh  lie  at  the  baaia  of  genuine  Water  Ciire. 


E^^ayi  and  Orations. 

By  Rev.  Georqe  W.  Betbunt,  D.  D. 
One  volume,  13mo.  cloth,  $1  S5. 

Yhis  tnhirm  will  comprise  all  the  popular  occasional  Orations  and  Diaeounies  of  tha  duu» 
i(t>4sHml  author ;  and  the  variety  and  importance  of  the  subjects  >liv;uaMd  are  such  aa  to  raoder  Ik* 
Miune  exceedingly  interesting  and  attractive  to  the  general  reiular. 


CfAeridge^s  Biographia  Literaria. 


Kingraphia  Literaria  ;  or  Biographical  Sketches  of  my  Literary  Life  and  Opi- 
nions. By  Samuel  Taylor  Coleridge.  From  the  2d  London  t'lition,  pre- 
pared lor  publication  by  the  late  H.  N.  Coleridge.     2  vjIs.  12rnu.     I^i. 

"IBs  mind  i-nniains  an  astonishing  map  of  nil  sorts  of  knowleilge,  while  in  his  power  ami  m.in- 
vof  putting  It  to  use,  he  (li..<plays  iniiri^  of  what  we  mean  by  the  ter'ii  genius  than  any  mortal  i 
m  mm,  or  ever  expect  to  a»t."—Jiihn  f\Mter, 


A  Lift  for  the  Ijozij  ; 

SI«cond  edition,  revised  nnd  enlarged,  neatly  printed  in  duodecimo,  7.5  cts. 
"They  have  been  at  a  great  feast  of  languages  and  stolen  ths  inps  "     flUiilij—ii. 

#iIuT'-rJr'.""*'t'^'''^'"''""'^''y'''''"!"'P'^""  'omprehenslve  and  original  materials  for 
JS^rJjiC.  r-r""  m"  '  ?""^  anecdotes  and  statistics,  origin  of  words,  philological  curioslilM, 
STZT"^  from  old  authors,  mrange  customs,  o<ld  sayings;  in  short,  a.  a  commonplace  boc^ 
ffJT-!*  u  "■"''«' »»<[  shrewd  observer  it  is  a  most  accapiable  "  Uft"  for  those  who  art  too 
M^  M  too  buqr  to  read  whole  libraries  for  thenuelrea.  t    uu.,  wnu  «»  wn 


The  J'mntain  of  Living  Waters. 

BY   A   LAYMAN. 

It  •  neat  and  elegant  presentation  volume,  with  •  VignMtt.    Neat  39mo. 
sloth  gilt,  75  cts. 

"  And  tha  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say.  Corns ; 
And  let  him  ihst  heareih  say,  Corns : 
And  let  him  that  Is  sihlnt,  Come ; 
And  whososTsr  will,  1st  him  utks  of  ths  water  of  Ufi  tresly." 

Bit.  9;  tf 
26 


O.   p.   PUTNAM'S   ireW   PUBUCATI058. 


C[)oife  Sllustratfb  3Joob. 


The  lUibstraUd  Knichivlxtchrr 


The  Iliitory  of  New-York, 

From  the  Beginning  of  the  W<^lil  I//  i\tf  >-n/)«fih«  Dntrh  Djmaily:  contnlning, 
cmnng  many  eurprising  aiul  'urK/«M  fn)»lf»^i),  tb'-  Unutterable  Ponileringi 
of  Walter  the  Duubt«:r ;  tli«f  \)im<Hfiiit»  Vrnyn*  lA  William  the  TeMy,  and 
the  Chivalric  Acbievenw-iitii  </C  P»-t/T  tb»!  Hearlwrong — the  Three  Dutch 
Covemors  of  New-Amirt<-ri)aiii:  K^'un  Ih^  f>nly  authentic  History  of  the 
Times   that  ever  hath    \>ven  'it   «r»»T  will  be  piihliahed. 

BY  DIEORICH   KNICKCRBOCKER. 

Illustrated  with  15  Buperior  t-Disraviinii  tin  irwjd,  by  the  mort  eminent  artists, 

from  Designs  by  Darlify,  viz: 

Pirirntt  ff  IHnlTlrh  Knithrrhorkir,  from  an 
t/rigituU  jintnling  lalrly  dincovrr^d  fiy  th« 
f^itifftiiirfn  In  tfftHarui. 

Tlf.  Ifuirh  Kijilorirtf  Kipedition  eoMt  owof 

ftl  IfuflgtUf.. 

ttui'h  l/trPT. 

K'H'Ufmfitim  in  hit  Coffin, 

Hull)  tn  fmt  Chridlitin. 

Kni'li^rf^ylifr  ra^intf  at  iHf  frt/tnif  rhildrtm. 

hnuk^ti^ifh^  nuikin^  hit  how  to  the  fiuhlic.  I 

And  a  larger  illurtration  on  nioiif,  (r</tn  •  drawintt  by  Heath,  of  London ; 

a  humorous  re preHentatioii  oC  I'l-u-r  Hutfrfmm'n  Army. 
Elegantly  printed  in  Koyal  OcUno      I'rtw  in  rUith,  $3  .lO  ;  extra  dark  cloih, 

gill  edges,  §1 ;   inorocfj  <fitf«,   %'< ;    nunnceo  and  calf,   bevelled   Wl- 

tinuc,  $7. 


Oloffe  Van  KnrttamI  mriuiiring  the  IamI  leilh 

Tenbroerk'a  brferh^t. 
Vition    of  Oloffn.  the  Orramer,  of  the  fulurt 

cil;'  '*'■  Xfte- Arnjtertlam. 
The  i'rtKh  War. 
Partniil  of  Wnuter  Kan  TitiUer,fr(m  aulhm. 

tic  sources. 
Otn.  Vim  I'ojfenbiirg,  practicing  »ar  on  tlv. 

Sui\Houier>. 


The  lllmtrat^  Sh;tc1irBfMjk. 

The  Sketch-  nook.  , 

BY   WA8HINOTON   mVIMO. 

Ulustrated  with  a  serieHof  liii{lily-finitiy-d  Kni^rarinipi  on  Wood,  from  Design! 

by  Darley  and  others,  Kiigraved  in  ih»!  he*!  Kyli  by  Childs,  Herrick,  ic. 

One  volume,  square  ocuvo,  clulti  eitra,  HH  50 ;  cloth  gilt,  $4 ;  morocco 

extra,  96. 
"  Wb  confrM  tlut  w»  know  of  none  iu  thi»  rmutry  tr,  rnnmum  tn  the  tmk  of  illii>tnitln(  Ihli 
work  M  Ihe  yoi!!ig  anim  Mlecml  for  itu?  i<urj>'ii«,  ('•  u  \HiUy.  itmn  ni  whow  Attitm  w«  h«»« 
hail  the  pleMure  of  pweiru?  They  tre  dill  'il  iIm;  '(•it»',  <,'H)"«riwh  hurnor  fMi-iilinr  lo  (be  au(hiir, 
tnii  ilrnwn  witn  the  name  elexaiii  ftiii»h  ai<l  timS/mi  linn  •i'»ff)i»h  whii-h  fli«tinK<ii>h  all  hia  works. 
Unlll  w«  f «w  theae  ile»iBii"  we  were  lie Tr.)iji'«i»  »•  '//  'ttfr  ttnuij  'i<  any  of  our  nalirs  ir'iMs  M 
properly  i  luatrilo  the  huiiiuroua  paaaagw  <rf  IrvMf'a  wnitti^"—l!ttniiig  Mmr. 

The  Illustrated  Tales  of  a  TrawTJ,er. 

Talet  of  a    Traveller. 

BY  WAtHINOTON  mVINO. 

Ulustrated  with  15  designs  by  l><irl»^,  t^ign^A  on  wood  hi  the  first  style  bj 
Chillis,  Herrick,  ly«lie,  H'»W<'i,  K((i>'<ti'l«,  At/:      (.yn>-  volume.  Royal  8»o, 
same  style  ami  prices  as  tlie  }ittUViri\nifkrt 
'  It  ia  inten>leil  iluii  the  enenvtiic  in  Oiia  "//(«)»>  uA  in  lh«  Knkk«itaxk>r  ihall  exessd  in 
•nsllence  any  Uiln-  of  the  kindyet  pruducwl  ui  tliM  comwy. 

«7 


G.   P.   PDTNA3I^   NEW   PUIJLICA'nOIfd. 

€^m  Sllnstratrlt  %ukt, 

CONTIMOKI). 

The  lUmti'ated  OoUhmith, 

Oliver   Goldsmith,  a  Biography. 
BY  WA8HINOTON  IRVINO. 

With  about  40  liluBtrations  selected  by  tlw  fmhU-im  (torn  Vowm'%  Liri  or 
GoLDSMiTU,  beautifully  engraveil  dm  tnHiA  l/y  W,  Hobertd.  8vo,  elotb, 
93  50  ;  cloth,  gilt,  $3  ;  iiioroccu,  flC. 

Famil/y  Pictu/res  from  (lie  Bihk. 

EDITED  BY  MRt.  E.  f,  CLLCTT. 

Compriaing  original  article»  by  Rev.  Dr.  iktijMi*,  K*»,  II,  Fi«W,  lUr.  Mr. 
Burchard,  and  other  Eminent  Divine*. 

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The  Ilhat/rated  Mormnmits  of  h^jypt. 

Egypt  and  lit  Monurnenti, 

A«  lUurtrntive  of  ficripture  IliKU/ry, 

BY  REV.  DR.  HAWKS. 

With  Architectural  and  other  View»  fi/iely  rtr'MUui  tin  Mttnti,  ond  mimerom 
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The  Ilktstrated  Nmeveh. 

Layard's  Nineveh  and  its  Remaini. 

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The  Ilhist/rated  Italy. 

The  Genius  of  Italy, 

Or  Sketches  of  Italian  Life,  Literature  ami  lUiigifW. 

BY  REV.  ROBERT  TURMBUCt. 

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O.   p.   PUTWAM  S   NEW   PUBLICATIONS. 


Hm  Sllnstrattlt  ^^ooks. 


cumtnvtD. 

The  Ilhuiirated  J'UgrinC/i  Progreaa. 

New  anil  bcnutiful  eilltlon  of  riltfrim'i  Progrem,  (in  on  elegant  volume,  uni- 
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by  Daviu  Mmivt,  I/onilon,  anil  Htm.  P.  Putnam,  New-York,  a  new  and 
beautiful!/  llliiKtrateil  Kltliiion  of  KtrxvAN's  Piuirim's  Pbooress  ;  willi  a 
new,  oriKiiuil  LirK  or  KirnrAN,  written  eipresaly  for  thin  Kdition,  by  l(<-v. 
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rnoarccTus. 

In  inirodueini  J>  \ni\i\ir,  nntlm  «  n«iw  mllii'm  of  The  Pilgrltn'ri  Proi^em— the  moat  popiiUr  book 
In  the  Rnillih  Lili(ua||«— f(  U  wiiiVMiimry  ut  ex|Hiilaie  on  ihe  meriu  »  univanally  ailniiUcU  w 
thOMorilia 

"  ln(«il</iw  itrdiinior !  in  whmw  wnlltold  tala 
llw«c(  tt'Wini  Mxl  >we«t  Iruih  nlikn  prevail." 

The  piihliKlirr,  ihercfxre,  cntifli/M  hlmwilf  to  •  nlmpla  cnumeraiion  of  the  raau  fealurei  by  wbicb 
Ihe  pri-iKiil  eilKKHi  will  Ija  ilM<lfi(ill«h«il. 

Thii  (lietlnciiKii  u  lhrii«l'>|j| ; 

Int.  In  Ihr  I'lirilij  hf  llm  Tul,  ll  will  lie  prinieil  from  the  Inle-it  cililionii  publirlicd  in  ih* 
ainhur'i  lifeiinie,  nHiOiliiliiK  hi*  I<miI  rerlnlimii  ami  ellemilnnii.  Fur  thin  purpoMi  the  e>ir<^i»i-ly 
riru  eiliiioii  o('  ihu  llr»<  i»iir(.  p<ilill*lt>«l  In  Vr^^  \\nn  Im-i-m  rilfir«;<l  nt  iho  publitht-r'K  ili^iKixal  by  ib« 
ililigKnt  renearclxai  u(  (tmirfCi  Oltiir,  Kxi  "f  llafknpy,  whiMe  library  cnnlainK,  uniimcfi  oilier  in-n 
mireR,  an  uiihvallifil  rolbMUi/'O  of  early  f^'liiloriM  nf  Hunyan.  MoKt  ui  ibi!  orliimry  etliiiuiiH  of  iIm>« 
diviiii!  alleifory  are  very  rrr'UK^'Xin ;  aixl  prinieil  a»  Ihey  have  treon  Ironi  one  anwlier,  wiiliout 
refi^reiice  lu  ilio  uruuiau,  elww  aUeriUUm*  uitl  omiuiim$  aliogciher  at  variance  with  ihs  Auiliur'a 
tazi.t 

2il.  /n  Ihe  alitmrt  iff  Sul't  Wllh  very  few  f«i"cpiion»,  all  llic  ri-rpnt  ediiione  of  Ihe  I'ilirrini 
are  eiiciiinlwreil  wMli  i,"Uoiiji  i|/>rfrifial  rio(r«,  overlnyint  the  lexl,  ami  dlHtrfif  ihiK  the  aiiciition  ui 
ihe  reaiUr  from  ilur orlyiiwl  iwrrailVB  ff"in  lh':"«  ibi"  eililion  will  be  Hliojcilier  fnc.  'J'ho  wiirk 
will  Im  laiil  iM^foo!  itie  xi^vSft  hm  Munyan  l^-fi  It ;  Ihe  only  variatinriH  will  rnn^Ht  in  the  r<frr<!<*(ioj 
nnil  verinnatioii  ol  ilvi  i»ari(ln*l  r«f«renerii,  which,  fruin  errors  of  the  preas,  are  in  the  early 
editiunii  fre'iuently  UiVj:i*ritiM. 

3t\.  In  the  itliutrfitt'/ru.  In  fiie  pfient  eflltlnn  thene  are  srreatly  more  nnmcn>ufl  anil  of  a  biifh^r 
claae,  than  have  rvar  twrri  Kl*»n  WMli  the  work  'I'hny  will  ran«o  from  Two  Iliinilreil  and  I'lliy 
'it  Tliree  II  i-iilrei*  in  iitinili«:r,  ^ntfrav^d  by  the  llrothere  Uulziid,  from  DrawiiiKi  by  Witli.-uii  llur- 
vpy,  the  moat  ariti'^fiil  aii*!  irnaKiiiailye  of  rn'iib'rn  de«iKiier«,  and  will  conHiiitof  llpaii  andl'ail  Pu;i-*'i', 
Vignittten,  and  l|or>l«r  lllij»irai|'ifi«,  in  all  tbui  variety  of  pir.tnrlal  nrraimement  for  which  tlim  ariM 
IK  Bii  ccle'iraied  A  Ix  ^iiiilfull)'  engraved  I'orirali  of  ihe  Author  will  uImi  be  givun  from  iln:  oniri' 
nal  drawing,  by  K  Whii/f,  (iftKrnut  In  tlm  llrliliih  Miveiiin ;  from  which  waa  enirraved  th<'  like, 
.loea  aitarlied  to  tlie  (lr«  fliilon  of  Ihe  Holy  War  (now  extremely  rare).  Thie  will  be  engravid  '«i 
lU-id.  in  the  line  iiLiniu-r,  by  Mr.  II.  Moiirne,  forming  at  onea  the  flneat  and  moat  autlianitc  Fortran 
of  Bunyan  ever  publlabed. 

The  Work  will  Iw  prinnwl  In  ernwn  oeiavn,  In  the  beat  maniwr,  and  will  b*  publiahed  io  Muntlily 
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Each  Pan  will  contain  Fury  liagaa  n(  l.«ti«rpre«a,  and  from  Twenty-flva  to  Thiny  Engraving* 
on  WoikI. 

The  Work  will  Im  cuinpb:i«  In  almnl  Ten,  but  not  azeeading  Twelve,  Paru. 

*.*  A  few  Copiea,  prinuvl  on  l.ar(e  Paiier  fprica  !U.  it.  or  tlO),  with  the  flneit  impreaeioni  of 
the  Cum  ir  Ihrir  heei  Male  Aa  ili»e  will  lie  laeiied  only  in  a  complela  form,  penooa  dsairxiua  M 
poaaeaa  them  ahould  at  one*  forward  their  tiamea  in  Iha  publiaher. 

t  A  few  •nrcimena  of  ihaae  InaMiirarlaa  ara  given  In  a  aapaiata  Proapeetui,  with  a  apeeimao  of 
*a  walk,  which  will  be  aupplM  fgrallaj  on  applleatloii. 

NB— TO  TUB  T'tADK— The  firat  number  will  be  forwarded  generally  m 
a  Specimen,  on  aale  ;  but  an  future  nurntier  will  be  aeni  unleaa  actually  ordered. 

29 


O.  p.   PUTNAM8   KEW   in:iil.U:A'rUfMK 


Cjioirt  Sllnstratrli  %uki. 


coif  TIMCCD. 


Zaya  of  the  Western  World. 


Contmli .— "  liOve'i  Rcqiiieni,"  hjr  rhurlw  Vtnm  ll'iffiaua ;  "tit*  IMki«y  >4  ffhim."  f>f  %Kt. 
O^'kkI;  "Thp  Fjinilnf  Drcamii,"  hv  Wni.  f  llrynuf  :  •■  Ij^  Hi  'l>r  l^  v"  <*<•  ■  Ny  Wm  fl  B. 
Htwr;  "Tilt!  Nichl  Conwh,"  bv  Mm.  Embury;  ■■  Tli*- 'I  V>Mruwi«ij<  *.•  *•«  v;  W  W  Her- 
)irn;  "OrMnwooil,"  by  Min  Pinuar  j  '•  Wur«lii|<,"  b/  Hut  Itufui,  ■'KiUi  *.Wi*»  Wowm,"  hy 
Mm  Embury. 

Kmnll  fnlin,  illuminalnl  In  ihe  moM  «u|i«rb  numiwr  by  N«j^U».«u.  m%  Ufifirti  ittA  Vtowto— 
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Oriental  Life  lUustrated : 


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the  Kait.  Illustrated  with  fine  Ktcrl  K«|(r«yM0»  l%M^,  ^Mh,  tmtm 
gilt,  f  1  50. 


Illustrated  Ch'eckm  and  Itorruin  Mijlh^/Mpj. 

BY  M.  A.  OWIOHT. 

With  Preface  by  Prof.  T*Yr.ER  Lewis,  iA  i»i«  Hoiyttmf  i4  ff#w- Vivrfc.  17 
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Poems. 


BY   ANNC  CHARLOTTE  LVIMM/ 

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A  Boole  of  the  Hiulson  ; 

Collert»-d  fron  the  Varioun  Wrilingaof  DiEDBicti  K»li:*t*»if  ttn  Mrf^'f  llf 
GeofTrey  Crayon.  New  edition  in  \»ttfc  tf^,  wwU  U^m  tlUottntiem. 
'Hmo,  .')0  centa. 

The  Chrnpn  Edition,  without  plates,  nnsllrr  tyj**,  t7J  ««•*• 

"  On«  n<  the  mwrt  (lellghtful  w"-i«  in  the  language  "—«'y«ti«  'timuntpt 
'<ftiimfn«r  Tourntu  on  the  Iliidunn  i*an  Anil  no  plranuitrr  €Ajtui^ttulun  -itmr  4M>^ 
"  A  hapfy  iflea  'bi^  of  bringin!;  Cogedier  in  a  volufi,»..  t'.,r  (J,*  j,.*<-*^  ■%*  •*  ift*-t»A  Mt«  »nif 
irtrHrb'-o  '»f  ibf  Hti'l-nn.  wliirh  fill  w>  many  ucriruvi'  paif***  ^i  **tr  AiA^*-../  t.sr*>*^^«  <%<  W*«^tnif- 
l/xi  IrviriK  The  man  i«  i"  I*  rnvir.l  who.  wi'b  a  •  .nmtt-f  #;>  (<'(«»  i(»w, 'Wviy*'  'W  (WW  iw 
IW  fl'iaiinff  palareaot  thn  river  wiib  tbiit  rboir,-  t.iltjni,-  (i.,  ♦■>*  «-•,4u}JA<ik^n  #»  V  p"  v.rr»e  ;*l'vnc 
the  amjile  hreailih  of  the  Tii|ipnn  fi<'a.  by  il.i-  walln  •>(  ili«-  |»«lu.»4i:».  •««  «i|U**'  »*  *r«n.t  iWlWa 
of  the  IIlKhlanila  lie  will  be  pm  In  a  mmxl  f"r  (h<-  iiwhi  <-iii|Wm'«  imi^imtt  >4  »«*»  »*4  !«•* 
(capt  a«  h«  glances  fmiii  one  to  the  oiher."— /."    Wur'it. 

30 


.iASri'U   I.IJUIAUY. 
Oi'^aii !  Marcli  1.  IM") 
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31 


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T/ie  I*racti      Elocutionist, 

Hat  Coliegesi,  AcadcmiPB,  nrnl  High  Schools. 

BY  JOHN  W.  8.  HOWS, 

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vucccMful  prufc«i<i'jiial  prucitcCf  Ilu  butu  nin^i  ».ui.^faci(>L-ily  tcsiuj  uiul  Hiaiii[>«J  by  puhiic  ap- 
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'.*  TliiH  WDrk  lias  Ikvh  pri|i.irril  wiih  am  an,  illuMrii<~l  with  eiririiv"  niiiliuo  ilmwinfi, 
Anil  in  ili'!*ii:iii-il  ui  trnii  the  i«ubji'rt  in  au  'inmut,  r#rnpr»-h^iHiv»-,  an  1  tiiit*xrf>piiitiia>iit^  main  t.  en 
as  Id  till  ihn  |)l.ii-i>,  na  a  lexl  Ifi'tk.  whirJi  l»  |r<  nii<>lpplt«il ;  whlln  It  JH  itJMi  an  allrarlivi>  and 
n;ailaltlH  tahln  liouk  lor  |^i:iivrul  ukc  |i  t*  iiut'^iurt^i  4.1  4  u>x(-lnMik  in  many  ui  ihn  Icailin;;  cullejteii 
anil  HrhiHil-t. 

"  A-i  a  b.xpk  (>r  rffrrt'itrc  lor  the  trciKral  rpa>r.  w*-  ktu*m  re'  iifl  pf|iial.  Tli'i  liir<>rmatlnn  it  con. 
tains  IS  aliji'nt  iiri  lirtcessjiry  n^  the  anive  re»l«r  ot  ni'^lem  iHf.  loire.  .w  fur  ilic  pi-i»i.>sseil  mtliniur." 
— tfumr  Jtiunmt. 

"A  valii.ihit!  additinn  In  t>ijrp|pTn<Mjl;ir7wh<i'»i  ^—.V*.  tirmj  wntirn  in  eoal  taale  aiul  Willi  ahjiitv. 
anil  well  ailapieil  to  popular  innirucii'm  — /V'/   tl-'itirr.  PrinriifU  'if  the  t'rte  Arr.  'iny,  iV.  V 


Coe-S'  D/'dwhu/  Cdnl^. 

StudifH  in  Drawiiiir.  in  a  IViffr^iinre  S*ne»  of  lo-moiui  on  Cards  ;  hcginning 
Willi  the  most  Kleinentary  Studies,  and  adapti-d  for  use  at  Home  and  in 
Schools. 

BY   BENJAMIN   H.  COE« 

In   ten  Scries — inarKi-d   I   to  10 — each  containing   about   eighteen  Studies. 
25  cents  each  Scries. 

The  linaisn  ifl ; 
I.  T'l  make  the  pxcri'i:»c  in  ilnwine  hirtiT  w^rrMiat  u>  th«  pupil. 
11.  To  iiiiktMirawiir.'-'  Ml  .iiin|)!p.  an  I  wi  era  liMiljr  pppffrr«"ivf.as  In  pnahte  any  leat^liAf,  tvhether 

ar<|iiainieil  with  ilr.twinz  nr  n-^t,  i«f  in*'nyi  hvi  piipiU  tn  aih  amaze. 
ni.  Toiakeihe  place  of  nne  hallnr  tlir  irri'ln:  !*•««<»«,  wiih  fonft'lem'o  that  Ihe  learner  will 

iifiliiiro  a  kiiMwIeiltfe  n(  irritiii<c  in  1^*»  (irrw  ftwin  i<  iHiially  rnipiireil. 
IV.  To  sive  the  pupil*  a  li-tM.  rapid.  .■u»>l  ara*?  !il(*t  irtylt  of  tlrawintr. 

Tliey  are  excfiiieil  with  la^'c  and  -tkill,  and  f 'rrn.  1 1  fmr  jtidtrmenf.  tine  of  the  best  series  of  lea- 
mnt*  in  ilrawijii:.  whirli  we  have  met  with.  Ttf  atrh*»r  jiuily  rcrnark-t.  thai  "the  whole  i«  so  nim- 
pllfieii  aa  tu  enable  any  teacher,  without  previoim  ftivly,  ui  in.-<truct  hi.s  [lupils  with  advantage." 


a.  I.  a.  3^.ilitnrii  (Tfit-I^Dnk. 

An  Elcmeninrij  Treati^ie  on  Arflfhfjf  and  Infiviirij,^ 

AdaptPil  for  the  Service  of  the  United  St«t<-s.  Desired  for  the  iiw  of  Cndets 
of  the  n.  S  .\tilitary  Acadeintir,  an.l  for  the  Officers  of  the  Independent 
Companies  ami  Volunteer^.     12mo. 

BY  C.  P-  KINGSBURY,  LIEUT.  U.  8.  A. 


'  Ttil.^  voltime  111  ii»ed  a*  a  text  tmnlc  in  ttt*  \'> 


ss 


'  ^.TP«  MI'itarr  Ar.Tlfiny.  nmf  wlH  hr  Intro- 


fliiMtl  in  the  iiitier  milil.iry  «rlKi.<!»      |t  i«  *\^  rn-Mf   iia^fiil  an>l  ,*'im(irclieii-'!vr  irc;t!i«ft  in  nitlMr 
Frenrh  or  F.ni:lii*h ;  and  in  e(|Ually  a>ia(M«'1  for  •»««■  m  'Ik  mrlitia  wrvire  .in<l  in  the  army. 


V-' 


\ 


J> 


.sr^ 


C^ 


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Lens  F.  KLirsTEi.N,  A.M.,  LL.M.,  and  Ph.  D.,  of  the  University  of 
Giessen.     In  preparation. 

"  lliert  1»  no  doubl  that  a  few  ymn  hence,  the  per«everin?  nnd  illrewnnled  KiiU  cif  iliin  leiinieil 
scholar  will  be  lonkeil  biu  k  u|)on  with  Kjnocre  grniiiude,  by  nil  wliu  lure  the  mucly  iif  i>ur  incmn- 

Krable  laniiuuge,  in  itn  lietter  anil  nxirc  einewy  part.  If  Dr.  K.  Ir,  aa  wo  fiippnsc.  a  foreiunor.  I:a 
■  arquimi  a  maKtcry  of  English  which  in  inurvelluua,  and  which,  by  the  by,  fIiuwh  the  ailvaniaiia 
to  be  (luriveil  from  An^lo-Suxon.  Thene  voluniofl,  taken  in  connection  wlrh  the  ffraintnar,  and  iho 
forthrondn;;  glot^ary,  will  make  it  e.-tsy  for  any  private  student  to  make  hIniHHif  acijiniinted  with 
that  delighll'ul  old  tongue,  tu  which  we  owe  almost  all  our  worils  of  endearmint,  such  as  liome, 
/ath$r  rnatherj  brother,  stater  i  almost  all  our  namc«  of  EnsliHli  tloweni,  as  daity.  cottstip.  vrirn- 
rote,  nowgay  ;  and  abumlance  of  the  short,  monosyllabic,  pungent  nount,  which  nalflcarneif  folks 
would  barter  away  for  He..«t|uipcdaliaii  latinismw.  We  mean  such  as  ttrtl.  date,  xrrath.  iMolth^ 
kruire,  Ihriul,  churl,  itrealh.  ami  soul.  The  |)reliininary  essay  prepares  the  way,  by  iracinf  rtry 
clearly  the  lineage  of  the  Anglo.Saxnn  language:  it  is  a  valuable  contribution  to  Ethnology."— 
I'ruojfUrian. 

*  Surely  it  is  a  matter  of  concern  to  know  and  understand  well  our  own  tongue.  IIow  mucb 
taller  then  would  it  tic,  if  in  our  public  ami  private  schools,  as  nuich  attention  at  leant  were  triran 
to  the  teachliii!s  of  Kn^ltsh  as  of  Greek  and  Latin,  that  our  youths  might  bring  home  with  them  a 
racT  idiomatic  way  of  siwnking  and  writing  their  own  language,  insirail  of  .1  smaltoriii:;  of  Greek 
*nd  Latin,  which  they  almost  forget  antl  generally  neglect  in  a  few  voars' time.  *  *  '  For  this, 
■  itudy  of  the  Anglo  Suioii  is  abMoliiicly  iieLvllul ;  for  after  all,  it  nas  htiiueathed  10  ua  by  far  .he 
largest  stock  of  words  in  ol*"  language." — London, 

"The  most  valuable  portion  of  our  language  comes  to  us  directly  through  tlio  Anglo.Saxon  ;  and 
10  maka  the  study  of  it  a  part  of  our  general  system  of  etlucalion,  would  he  to  administer  the  moat 
powarful  antidote  to  the  deterioniting  influence  of  wouldba  fine  s|)eaken  and  writers,  whicti  is 
indnally  robbing  our  English  apeoch  of  much  of  its  sative  energy  nnd  pracision.— /.■'/.  (frrld, 

84 


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85 


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m 


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38 

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""-"■'"■       1 

,/ A  SIM.  11    J.J  nilAUV, 

()>1l:.I11  '  Mai  cli  1.1H34. 

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urinuc  ;  HJttirti  iioi  wi  iimf.li  of  iiitiii  a.'*  oi  opiiiiiirH.  *  *  '  Thit  }ir«Mliiciion  ot  .-i  iniicl  ri 
plativR  in  iiH  luni,  but  kcnily  alivo  to  tlto  alcJiinlirv  of  htiinan  ]>i'->>'ihi.iii.  Tlu^rt-  im  rra 
lopic  whirti  1h  nol  hero  pinlnHtieil  or  claln'itil  ai  ;  and  iiiMiiuni  |iliiloM»|)liy  H  pri^lly  -itivoix-ly 
muy  bo  inlurruU  fruiii  iliu  moito  of  llt?a<lt<in.r  ll.iii : 

'All  |tliilo«iphor«,  who  finil 
Boiiir!  lavonio  nyHUMii  lo  ihrir  niiiHl, 
In  evitry  point  lo  niako  it  tit. 
Will  lurc«  ail  iiaturu  tu  buhinit.'  " 

C'lncinnod  Atlai. 


riptif* 

IlillllC- 

iiiitiiii' 
fi-!y  a 

llll,  iUl 


Tasso. — Oodj'reif  of  Ihillci^jne  ; 


Or,  tlie   Recovery  111' Jcriisiiliiii ;   iloiif    into   English  Ilidtorionl   VcTi'e,  from- 
the  llnlinn  ol  T.-i^i-o,  hy  Kdward  FiiKPAX.     Introductory  Kssny,  liy  Ltii»li 
Hunt  ;  niiil  the   Liv^s  of  Taaao  and  Fairfax,  by  Charles  Knight.     1  vul., 
mino,  )9|l  ^5. 
"Tlio  corp;;I::'OHt  ti  inflation,  nnil  iienrew  liico  l»<  oriirini'I  of  any  we  h.ivo  fecn."~I^ii;h  Ihint. 
"  rhr  .1.  fiiiilinn  Onlivi'TOl  i-"  toil,  to  ihe  last  "lanza.  of  ilie  most  cli-li!;liifiil  invoiiiioii",  of  iho 
moBt  rhanniii!;  piriun-H,  ol  ciiivalfic  aiiJ  licrotr  HiMitini'-iii,  of  porir.iii.') .)!  hravu  niun  iiiiil  hi>auiilut 
woninii— in  tiiiu,  a  priMiitfal  tnloiMif  tho  rhoii'i-nt  rtiHourctm  ami  otfectii  ol' poetry.    So  ii  iiaa  Uuta 
always  known  lu  the  wnild,  so  I'aufnx  bringii  it  to  uh." — Mirror. 


Taylor.— Poenhf  and  Ballads 


The  Toi'ins  nnd  linllmls  of  J.   IUyard  Tavlor.      With   Portrait  painteil 
hy  T.   Ituchnnnn  Read,  Esq.      12inu,  cloth,  75  ccnta ;   cloth  gilt  rxtra, 

*  A  Rpiri  of  holilnnM  an'i  vig(»r  porradea  the  volume.'* 

■"Tho  l>irinr<""pii'  Italia  In  orC'altlOrnia  '  hav>.  n.i.\iiA\  of  hoMneas  anJ  adTtotvra  in  them,  whieb 
conuuu  plaaiuinily  willi  ihu  moro  purely  aeniiinitital  poeiiu." 


Walt<ou.. — The  Lwea  of  Donne,  Walton,  Hooker, 

Herbert,  nnd  Kninlerson.     Hy  Iz.vaic  Wai.to.v.     New  edition.     1  vol.,  ISmo, 
green  cloth,  9j,\. 

"  Tlie  I.iit'K  ari!  tho  nv-t  iloliKhtfii'.  kind  of  reailing.    Walton  posusaea  an  inimitable  limpUclty 
■nd  Tirarity  of  iiyle.— A(r«.  Ki-kland. 


Pihliotheca  Americana. 

A  Catnlogiieof  Aniericnn  Publications,  including  Reprints  nnd  Original  Works, 
from  IK'jl)  lo  iH48,  inclusive.     Compiled  by  O.  A.  Roorbach.     Royal  8»o, 
pp  .15!»,  S4. 
,*  k  Tery  Buoful  huok  lo  all  librariana  anil  bonliseller* 

39 


# 


0.   p.   PUTNA3l'8   NEW   PUBLICATIONS. 


Thi  Nursery  Booh  for  Young  Mothers. 

BY   MR3.   U  C.  TUTHILL. 

18mo,  50  cents. 

^/  ■Phin  /rtliimn  will  hj  a  wnlmmc  presoni  to  young  mothern.  It  romprin^H  familiar  letter*  of) 
ill'  [rt0iiM  (•omifiM'vt  with  ihu  ini'tlical  tiii<)  cilut'iiiiuniit  tN')mrtriit!niH  ol  ihu  .\ijrr«»ry,  uml  H  jtuit 
lAifh  A  itnntr  iiH  (•very  mother  will  liri<i  prarittMlly  uselul ;  iuhI  uti  the  iiiuru  f"  lut  it  in  writ(t:ii  by  • 
(tiinipf«t>*ru  .Mill  '!xpf^nrnr«Ml  pcrnnn  nt  ttuMr  own  bcx- 

"•yiiiTf*  t"  murh  rxrflllent  rnunHcl  in  iliis  volume,  with  ocra-iniiJil  toijrrifi  of  nniiirc,  whirh 
*hnMf)iiti(i  ihp  .'luihor  m  nlwfirvaiit,  iiinl  han  nci'iiMHnnml  Iktmi'II  lo  iiout  ihi*  *rrn>r>«  of  )thy"iralanJ 
'livm**'"!"'  f'tiif.iit'in  IndftiMJ  theru  arc  poiue  happy  hiirt  at  the  immukfH  dj  thin  nirt  which  arc  a« 
'^•vmtmm  .iH  rhiMr^n.  iin>t  ^nver  admonitioim  that  ^  yotiii:;  mother!*,'  uml  Mimu  ahftuiitiii^  lo  hava 
rtl*vcrt  (*xpf*rifiirrt,  iniirhi  greatly  protit  hy."— iV.  V.  (Jom.  AUv 

■''Vh*' iul«  of'ihin  tirat  liiilo  voliimo  woiil  '  no'  h^  first  wem  lo  itnliate  any  thiii:f  ii»'W  or  (ktu. 
.ihvly  ihii*r»«"m(i.  tnit  m  th«  vrry  \\t!*i  patji'  the  itieution  »■*  iirn'-'ir.l.  .-nut  Iro'm  iht;nr«  m  th.;  vi-rr 
iHHf  ii'»*^  nt  'hn  AppfiKliY  ihf  iniurr.it  iIihm  not  lag.  It  i-t  no  dry  <ti«<pii'<iiion  ij|M>n  iliri  ami  nn  ili* 
rtUww.  ivni  hut*  I'nr  iw  topic,  nnr^'fry  ciluration  'a  every  lirani-h.  Thi;  nuirurii'Mi  on  itn-fo  varioti* 
[^mM  iM  roinmunicaifil  in  HpriL;hily  letters  I'rom  an  aunt  to  her  nii^o:,  who,  <li'->|>(in<liiiii  likn  ail 
;^niut  rn''>ht>r4  when  Ilr*(  Wfi  to  the  rare  of  their  inl'anii^,  apiilieit  vj  her  for  njwic'4i(i'--<.  The  htece^ 
3ttM  ffn"i.Mi.  IK  .'tirfmcly  wi-H  drawn.  From  the  monieni  iiial  she  (irnt  atti-mpn*  iln?  rhild'n  Itaili, 
^it  :>i(M  -  ^hivfrinir  anil  irrmliiint;.  alraiil  lo  inuch  ilic  droll  httin  I'bjrci,' to  her  anxiou.i  inquiries 
#1ih  ivtf.mt  lo  the  mental  and  moral  iramint;  of  her  children,  fhu  h  a  true  wuman.  ajid  a  true  mo* 
•lt«r  "Vlw  ■■lr<'.tlml^lan^p^  whirh  call  forth  the  varitni.H  iwuntH  of  ufirnrtion  lrt»m  ln;r  aunt  are 
iti.^*Jt  rtiM'iriliy  devrtlnpt'd,  (inil,  on  ihe  wlioli'.  wc  regard  it  titt  xh*^  hnt /hm/c  iif  Iftf  kiwi  f-vr  puh- 
ti'4h^tt  \\\*  p*»fniiar  fxi'ellen  v.  m  the  HpriL'hily  and  JitrnM'alile  nryle  which  we  hav*!  Iipfore  alliiderl 
M.  ami  which  would  arrest  wxa  atimiinn  nf  nu'ny  a  ^iddy  'girlinoitier,'  who  would  tliruw  a><idu  a 
'fry  !rt'ati«o  in  dpupjiir  Mr-*.  Tuthilt  ([uoies  the  most  uuuxceptionablu  auUioritioM  for  her  nur«jry 
PM«K  ihr  Iwalih."— /'AiVfl.  »Va/.  Utuetle. 


€\}-aitt  3JDDk3  far  ■^'nniig  ^^Ersoiis  niih  f^rliool  'jCilimmj. 

MRS.    L.    C.    TUTH  I  LL. 

ffar^m-9  in.  Life :  TJie  Merchant : 

A  Biosfraphv  ;  with  Anecdotes  nnd   I'rncticnl  Application  for  New  Beginneny 
linio.    hnll  lidiiml,  fi'J  ei«.  ;  uili,  c.xtrn,  ,-l!jl. 

"  Wr  f;irn  on  earth  u?*  other  men  have  fare<l ; 
Were  ihey  auccessiul  I  1  el  us  not  despair !" 


Hvtcce-^s  in,  lAfe  ;  The  Lawijei' : 

A  Biographical  Example.     18mo. 
rXo  he  followed  .w  "The  Artist,*^' T.re  ?V1:.,iianic,' 


4,c.] 


'' /  Thn  airrt  M  this  Srhps  is  to  develop  the  iaie.tt  .ind  enerpy  of  boya  juirt  mergiiix  into  ■ 
ttiwwl,  .mil  to  amiflt  litem  in  chooniiig  ilieir  pursuita  for  life. 

"*ii-.'«o:  H'PWIhe  hpnrl  hounds  at  the  ixullin?  word?  Suorww!  Man  >  aim  from  thff  i 
Attmt  hn  plarcH  iiis  tiny  toot  upon  tiie  floor  till  he  lays  liia  weary  ixrav  Itead  iri  ihi  tjrave.  fl 
Mm,  the  oxciting  motive  to  all  endeavoi'  und  its  crowning  glory." — MiXtraciJ'rtmi  Pr^fac^. 


Mv>en.m/fii  with  the  Old  Story  TdUr.^. 

One  volume,  12mo,  green  cloth,  .50  centn. 
**  A  qnirf  humor,  a  quaintuess  and  terseness  of  style  will  strongly  recommend  fhnni  "     Tiytfrt 

40 


o.  p.  pj;tsam'h  xkw  pt;nrjcATio>'s. 


Cjioirr  OPDoks  for  -^^'Duug  ^^trsniis; 

DISTRICT,  SUNOAy   SCHOOL,  AND   FAMILY    LIBRARIES. 

rUl'ATAM'S  onil'lSTAL  SIJniKS: 

Compriiiing  CliKAP  KM'I  lO.NM  f»f  Vuiunhle  and  .Stnndord  Work». 

I.  LdijuriFs  S'uturj-.h  and  Uh  lOinn'nt^. 

II.  J/uir/:.s.s  Jlisi/jit  liiul  Um  Moniiniiiils ; 

Or,  y.dinii  »  Wii(*n»  for  ilw  liiMf. 
Bcciciil  etliiion,  rerli<:<l,  wiUj  wUuuiui.    Ixmn,  imtt  ijoaixl,  wiOhiui  llw  llluMraiioni,  11  !A 

III.  Sipciicir's  I'ln:  l-'fij$t  ; 

Or,  Hk'Mthee  o(  Truvl  in  Klfy;  l  nnd  ihe  Holy  Lond. 

IV.  CiirzoriH  VivilH  to  MnunMUriiM  in  the  Levant. 

iJUfi.  Mr  know),  •!. 

V.  St.  John's  AdmuliiriM  in  llii:  l/ihynn  Dosort, 

Aiid  ^>:  'X»M  ii(  Jii|ii./'r  ArijiMon. 
Iltuy*,  biklf  k.-n<l,  73  CM. 

VI.  Eothcn ;  or,  Tnuuif  of  Tintd  brought  from  the  East. 

VII.  WurhiirtotCii  ('rtmuml  mid  lh>:  Cross  ; 

Or,  TIm?  HmitHui:-.  nrxl  lUaJitjr  of  F>i»t«m  Travel. 

U  vilt  IWli/i,  tttll  tirniixl,  tl  JS. 

"/  Thin  wrip"  u  pfj-iiiirwJ  w**f,  M^»^w(  ,^f*f*Ti/'* '"  iwh^f)!  nrnl  rirrulatiri!?  librnrie*.  ind 
aN(,  (It  plare  ttu-  i,t>,v«  y«iw,V>  »tfik9  m  (h«  hAntU  uf  many  whu  cojmoi  ati  -■'u  uitf 
mora  Mimiwvs  MiuuvmI  tAiiunm. 


Tlic  iiiiini'  of  Satiind  llixtory : 


A  fcrirc  "f '■'ipli'.rar"  fully  ■)«»«,  r»(»r>«*r.<Wi«  th«  mt"  inpiirinnl  nml  inlpri'mini;  o(  the 
Aiiiiiiiil  ('ri-atii«j:  witii  U*''^*''"* ;  ntinttii»'\  *t.nm\it  inrni  a  ptpnttant  incl  iniercKiin^  Kii- 
Itriairiini'iil  lur  a  jurcuik  \i»hi,ii\u\k  khMmi  (ifmilaairablemlcirniatiua  &Ucu.  luacaiw; 
colDfod,  75  cu. 

Itohiiison  Crniiofj'jt  Fartnr  yard : 

Ueaigucil  U)  accumpaijy  ili«  Ou/k  ',f  Mminral  HtMtirj.    S>|uare  IGmo, '    If  bound,  CO ct«. 


The  Game  of  Anna : 

An  Inviructive  Onni)',  cufwiMinif  ';f  Quxuit^Air  from  tb«  Poeu,  in  >  wriet  bfSI  Oudl.    GO  Ctl. 


Young  AJtmricatCs  I'rirrun: 

Autuiifitif  Ummivtut    limo,  paptr,  2S  eia 
41 


a.  p.  PUTNAMS  -HTM  TTJVUJn ATifyjn. 


Cljoiie  3Gaaks. 

COMTIHUED. 


Glmvpsea  of  the  Womhifd. 


An  entertttiiiing  nccount  of  Curi'>Hiii.-«  of  Nulur*  htu\  Af»,  FlfM,  flTonif,  find 
Third  Series,  with  numi-ruiH  Kiiie  llliutrttiKMiw,  trngrttired  in  London 
Square  lUmo   liuth,  each,  75  cenu. 


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Facts  and  Fancies^ 

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with  cuts,  50  cents. 


nrnttor 
brar' 


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rv  In  rhn  land— nnil  Bhonhl  bo  put  in  ilic  lianda  of  oKrry  rUAi  <4/(  K^Li^d  in  und'Mdind  ihiit 


pKiif  rmiiMiT/i  are,  and  nhoijld  bu,  qiiifi:  (li  i'»»4-niial  lu  iiii'i^rium  Ui  in'iH  \mri,Uiti  Thi  Srhnoj 
Commiilo,.  of  Now. York,  have  ordered  ih,™  f„r  all  i1k  t-.iij  *;fe„|  /»«.,,!«,,  a  rlmaper  million 
of  tiieMunla  of  Manners  can  bo  Buppllod  for  il2  0U  per  )iJU. 


i 


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Cheery,  The  Eagle's  Verdi'l,  The  Sleeping  IknMf.  tUfited  and  lllua- 
trated.     Small  4to,  50  eenta. 


Young  Naturalists  ItamUes  llmnn/h  Miiuy  hnjith ; 

With  an  Account  of  the  Principal  Animals  and  Hird*  ii(  \\m  iM  und  N«w 
Continenta.     With  Woodcuts.     Cloth,  50  c«nM, 


The  Game  of  Natural  Iliitoi'y. 


Beribs  of  Ca«:w,  CareAilly  Drawn  and  CA'ttoA,  tf\n>>iu-M\nn  ih"  mort 
Important  and  Interesting  of  the  Animal  Cri-Htiitti,  With  Qiif«ii<>ni. 
Arranged  go  ns  to  fonn  a  Pleasant  and  liiMT.-irtlrtif  Knt^rtninmfnt  for  a 
Juvenile  Party,  while  it  also  gives  Deairahle  |ii(i/rm<*ti'>ri  Trie*  75  cent*. 
in  a  Case. — plain,  50  cts.  ' 

42 


^1 
HUri'LlEO   JJY   (;     p.   rUTNAM. 


Tim  Jtetni/}  den  ])wx  Momles. 

Noiiv<ll>-  IV;rt<«l»r  «*"■  In  (Jollnliornlinn  den  Soinmitps  I<ilt^rBirM  rt  Heii-n- 
titii|i»M(  ill-  III  Kriifirc,  <;t  (lin  (inysi  i;iriini;crii.  Hvo.  I'uLliiili<'il  or.  ili<-  tirtt 
iiriil  lirirt-rilli  (if  iIk'  iiioiiIi  ;  i-iicli  iiiiinlicr  cuntaining  frutii  1(J0  tu  I'Jil  iinUKt. 
^lU  /><)  |i>-r  iiiiiiuiii. 


Ity  llAwiiioiixk,  11  W  Kmhi""  y.l'ABKr.  Oonnm,  H.D,  Tiiobeaii,  B.C.  WitB, 
&.<:.  (-wliu-il  l>y  t  1',  IVnl  :>ily.  bvu,  |ip.  UIB.  To  bu  cunlinu«(J  oe«*- 
vioiinlly.     %\  ili. 


Tlie  Airwrkan  Jwirnul  of  Hcicitce  ami  Arts. 

ConducieiJ  hy  I'rc/ftrMdro  I),  Hii.umam,  D.  Sii.mman,  Jun.,  and  Jamu  I>.  Dm^ 
Bi-mont)ily.    $r>  per  unuutn. 


T1i£  Jmirrial  af  the  American  Oriental  Society. 

Coiii|iriiiiri|{  OriKi'ifil  I'lpT'  rdnlinuto  tht;  Must.  Nos.  I.  to  IV.  llie  IVtk 
Nuiidwr,  'jiinl  j/ii(.li«li<(l,i  coiitiiin.i  cpvcnil  vnlualile  nr'.iclcs,  l<y  l'ri<fr««f 
Kamihi  hv,  .J,  I'  llR'iwiv,  Kfw|.,  lii'v.  11.  U.  O.  DwiouT,  and  uthtT  UuriuMl 
Orientitluit«,    rrlR«  91  5U. 


y/wt  liiiy  Hoc'u:l/ij  ( Xat'iirdl  Ili-itwii)  Piihlication^. 

* ,'  Tlift  Iliy  M'l'^lfrt)'  ifi  \<"i\'\itu  (tiilili''h  (lirfo  vo!iimcff  farh  year,  of  imfMirtafi:  and  cfl«^ 
workfon  Niicural  UinUirt.  wrii  lll>i"riiil>ina.  'i'lii'  iMililK'.iii'in  cumriicnr.eil  in  lljM,  uii  Uu  bMB 
Toll,  oiAy  MlJI  \m  lu'l.    TIm  corn,  wllh  iluljr  ami  ei|iuiu!es,  ia  t7  |icr  atiiiam. 


The  AnnaU  of  ilui  I/iiceum  of  Natmral  Iliatory  of 

New-  York 

Publiafacd  iicMiuAunaWy.     The  latit  Number  is  No.  I.  of  Vol.  V.     Pric«  35  MOtl. 


Treihjohl  tm  thfl  Hteam  Engine. 

New  Kdlllon,  (iiililinblriK  In  tiiontlily  4to  pnrl)<,  with  ndditioni,  &c.     Rdited  by 
J  Hawk,    In  7  diviw(iii«: — I.  Loconioiivcs,  CdinplcMe  in  IG  Paris. — 
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Il5*  UrilUft,  French,  and  Grrman  rcriodiails  imported  to  order. 

48 


INDKX    TO 
r.   PUTNAM'S    I'UliM CATIONS. 


Tliote  mnrked  *,a  tpreuil  duuttitut, 

rtau  I  MM 

*Amiiii>:an  llMKihnilniiil  l.i>i'rury(  iirioKl'         i 'i!i4Jr  — II1imu»u>4  4«MMm    'M  MnnK 

11)1     Kiiii".  If  If  rii'M.H'cii,  «il.  '/I  I     tt>t<uui '^<v,  rMKH,  ti^w,  fMtH  ttfr,  t(tt 

'Am.injtT   >l''.iiiiiitiiiii«  <)|    (hu  MiMiMippi  iii'>i  rxtrii.tC' 

Val.iy.     Iio,  clirih.  «|ii.  '        ■  lu    ^Acit  itw)  trt-ifmo     Miwv, /tMlt,  :Uy  i>w.         tl 

Miriii  NK. -(Iniiiiiriii  iiml  Oecnmnmi  Ih"  |  I'aiiii'di      'r<u»v    )'<«>v^ii>»1^,#l  MifWN 

r.Mif.t'K      l.'iiiii,  cluili,  tl  J.')   -  A''^<     «ili.*l7:/  /  ,       '        .        nt 

floMuuiv      l,.iviMi^'r(i  ;    ill!   Aui(*hit>Kra|fliy. 

Unto,  rinlli. 

'Iloiiwiiiirii  -An»|iiSix"ii    ui>l     Kngliuli 

hiriiMiiiiry      -^vk,  clmli,  %;t.    •■ 
Bfu.H»;ii    -Witrk^     Auili'ir'"  I'lliihiii.  • 
IIh'  Ni'iahlxir".     iJiii'i,  cl.iili,  II. 

lloiiK'      I'.'ii Iiiih.  41 

(iHoWM     'I'urki-li  I'^vt'itiiiif  I  JiiL-r'aiiiifiL'nit*. 

I  Uii'i,  fiiMli,  t\  ;  rioih  uill.  •!  7-*>.  • 
Bri.wKH^  K()i.UK)4.— On  llli;  WaliT  (.'urn. 
iy.    Iijr  It,  lluiik'h  Mil.      I:.'hin,  chilli.  7.'><  IK 

D' >ilf  AH  -Uluriiii  «  I'rM^ii-oi.    S|>k'ii>liilly 

liiiijiir.iiMl, 

niKii.'tKi.i.  -Till'  F.iiliir-  111  Ni'w  i;ii!!liiiiil. 

riiri".  )i,i|.i'r.  I.'   I'll. ;  i-l<tth  liiii|f.  ;il  ct». 
lli'-YANr    -Siiiiiiitfr  Kxi'iiri'iiiiiti  iii  l-^un*}!)* 

.111.1  ilii' l.imi'.l  Siiiii'<     Uiiiii,  rl'iih. 
(:«i,VKiir  —!^>'iir>  mill  TlioiiL'lKM  III  I'MriiH'. 

I'^liid,  clotll,  Till  i^ln.    ■         .         ■ 
<*AHI.VI.K.    'I'.i^laiiil  l'rr.4i.'llt,  illlilCll:iri''in 

Uiiio,  rliMli,  tl 

—    l/fitiTit  mi'l  SneufliL'ti  nt  O'lii*. 

well.    'J  viU.  IJiiio,  cloih,  t-i ;  -i  villa  "'<>. 

flolh.  ».i;V). 

tMACtBii.  -Si!liM'iiciiiiinr.  hy  Dtif-lilcr.  I'Jini 


,  I'lHd Mil  liu  tiuuiu«lkw»<#«.   MMnv»n<i<rr.     _^ 
•Ji  ,     »)i-u  :  •iv'U.Tt"««-  •         •        ^ 

:  Fukii     >i^.iiu<ii4>  •«<  <tHW  <;Xnn«fr.  HMn, 
Sr     -l...!!.  »l 

I      IJWC.W  ;  .  .*>,?'> 

•£i  ^Vttun'tt  Auu<     fMi-u         ,       ,       .  II 

I  Itlilll*     -('luuifll.  '|.<    l(y>ir  /  U 

A   Oii.Kiii      Jii<»  •  -ftf^ifhym 

I     111.  c.Mi.     ;/-■•.  I    vr         :»). :» 

lA  I  t<UM»'»t»  '/T    M'  W '.fivf.  cl-vh, 

;i .-...,        ...  .       -       .        B 

UuuKiMrti.-ll'^iV.   4  Mt«  ntnnv  «lMi«, 
»•'<.•..  ...     as 

—  —    *  Kju  v(  Ml  «li«t«'^    tiffif, 'in*, 
(i»i-(j.       ■  ...       .Tf 

-»    Jitf    JlilUi/^iUi!'.    »-(««,  <'lo«l»  fAi, 

•».•••  .V.,» 

<;K*r     Uvi*uirjtitf*»-Uv*     tmry.f.kufi, 
♦1  /i.  ,  K  W 

' — '     ■    ■     lifUr't  vt  ■**  It.ytH*  M  1W  I; 
1  i      ff(«UM.     \vw  t  rM)  4  *iy  ftt^%,  llVowlt.     H 


— •---    M«u»i>l  v!  Aiv>«>y  M  %rtiilmfn 
rloih,  (»)(■!■.;  r-.l.iili  ^ili  i-xira.  «l,  .'ll.ll)!     11  ».»««     ,' -*i'/,  <M**. »/  ^       ^       ..       H 

ClIAUCIlU  iV.  SfE.tCEH.  — r.'ll|ii,clUlll.  tl  :^>i  |(;tlKI'.ll      ~<>u  M<  UU-°MI  .u       M.V, 'lrt(f»,  tfV.  :il 

rliiili  ,'ili,  «l  7.1 :i.j    <<»Ket<ii      I'      ■         f.      ..       r*»«  II 

CoH —IJiKwimj  drill,     Nun.  1  (o  lU ;  eiv!li         "'11*1.1'.  -I.  ^  ..'.i^iigf 'II  Jl. 

'.<.'><-i.i. ^)       lvx|.iiui^.  .  iftmLtft     liA 

Cui.KiiiuoH  — lliMi;r.i|iliiu  l.licraria.    'Jv.)!«  lUwm  -  n .•'  .........^v    nmo.  pn- 

iJiii..,  ri.iili,  jj.       ....         ,11,-jjt     (M-f.;^  <■'.•..  ..ir  >«.>    ..>;«*  a 

(.'ooPKii --\Vi>iki4.     Nuw  iiiliuiiii.  •  aj <■;/>><'*»»«..«  (♦w»Aw«««     *»'>, 


'Mm:  spy.      I^lnii.  ctmll,  #t  Si. 

Knl  IImvit      IJiii.i,  rUilli,  al  iri. 

Willi  r  W'licli.     l-.iiiiii,  i-lmli.  «l  -a. 

Twii  Ailiiiirnlii.     l'.Jiii.i,  I'.liiili.  il  Z'l. 

Wiiiii.iii.l  Will..'.    I'.;iii.i.  iMiiili,*l  St. 

Tint  W.iy^iii  liii'  lliiiir. 
CoDNiiMo  lloiDK  .M.iiiiiul ;  rriMicli  un  I  Kii);. 

.i-li      1  .'iiiii,  r.liilli. 

•;r,i/.o.v    -MiiiiiiKU:riii.|iil  llii' l.-'vaii'      l'.<«l 

im,  rlirth,  •!  .V);  cliilli  Clli,  (f_ 
I>AMA.— Hyiiuin  ul  .MiiuTiilii^y.    Hvo,  ciuih, 


— — — »     U''i"MWV*'4  tA'fU.f  «v(  Wm- 

1«/M  AMflK/H      Vv  •-.'li*!        /,         .         10 
— •     IjiVDJ)  .    ■.•..-,    WiM(/,»./.  i 

HitiiviiV     'J'u.  fc        .  .KM      i>nrt. 

I'luib.  (>j*:.'      •  .»!,  rm 

'  JloMk '!'<•  .i.^U'i     CI'.     :■     -iA*1v.  .V»'n         H 
•i   it-my.K     (.i4<J      1>Mf >■■*■(  ^y   »"»ih«y. 
j     laiu. '  .■j'U.  tl 'ij  .       .       ■       89 

J      I   WJH.":*!    *»•♦     ffi»«lVHTl'«     f»(- 

j     Hpui     ">•/.  •■.«<.<i,.  ir^^ 'V.wlv/1.'.  »:4.Vr        ii? 

•  i.'l. n.'JilUwiO     y-Mjw     i«ifn,>y-vn. /rf"  .  r.mtt 

• (Jeiil.iay  of  ihii  1!.  8.  i;»|iliiriiiK         i     ^)»,  *l      •••..•       21 

Knjieililidli.     lui  ami  lullit  iiilii«  ul  plaien.  J'w««  tW*  ♦niWr      >3M»,  /.Torfi, 

•  I' 17a       ♦);<■!«)(  iai'.»'f  »;  .{|  » 

' ZiMiphlioH  (II  S.  Kxpinriii./  i;x  llluwjfi     #<ii.  v  i  imr>,.-irt>h. 

pi'illil'ili).     Ilnaiiil  liili.iallaH  111  pix  tl.V    17a        ^Jn-        ^■/ii  ,  ;I,M 

Ilrtiiiiiir.— Illumraii'il  Urrciaii  awl  llniiiaii  Hunt.    Ti^ry,,.,  >       ..,.,.  iu»      f2m.>. 

.Mylhn  i.ify.      Mv.i,    rliiili,   *:l ;   d.iih    Kill.  lull  Iwuu.^.  *!  33 

•;i.vj;  iiaif  luiir.  «:)7.v  ■      •  :w  lli'Uf.— Iih*i!wi«'*wm  «#<  •'mm^.      f-*!**, 

- — - — ■     TexiUniikiirdreciaiiaiiil  Roiiiiui         i     kI.cJj. '/i  >^     i.lvl  f.  ■'.■  it     .  .{1,36 

Mviliiiliiiiy.    Nowuil.  Mv.i,  «l  .'ill;  aliriil^eil         . —    ^  (  F'hny    fntu. 

ml.  Umii,  hall  bnuinl,  7.'i  iin  ■  3:1 1  lytiwi, .  *i  /.">  34 
DowNLno  — l.an.lBCapii    (iarilitiiicig.      8yo,           lavitm  it                                   ■■/  (riorirtu, 

ciKih, »:)  .V). 16       Hxuu,  •-.<.■  a  ]0 

Btior  -  Tlie  l.ilxiriy  of  lliirnii     iivunHvi),  —    TuMn'iin.v;  <..**»(«f  W***/*  (««». 

cliiih,  tl  .'lU 1^       eiixli  i<ili.  ;./<  V                              .        ■  9f 

KI.I.IIT.  — |.'aiiiily  PirturitH  Innii  ilii'  llililu.           Ikvum. -W>-.'^.'     <k»»*n'i....  If 

1:^111),  ciuh,  7ri  cm. ;  clu'li  gill,  tl  ^     -  ^ '    kHnt-mi*     tutn.U/k'       '  W 


INDEX  TO   a.  r   PITNAHS   PUHLirATIONJl 


»«Mt  PAOS 

Uviao  — AMnrU.     l2ino,  rlmh.  tl  M.         H,  IV ,  l.rMCii  — I'oomii.    flv»,  clmh,  tl  ;  cinih  ox'. 
, lloiiiicvllle'a  A'lrriuutM.     I2m<i,        ;     f-t;  rmir  iM  »'l.     ....  :i,  ;H 

cJoiU  (.  '5i •<,  I'J. 'MtiiicirTi     liiily,  I'luiiaiiil  I'ri'M'nt. '.'voIh. 

. B'«ik"f  ilMiHifl«m.    Iftrno,  f l<Kh,        |     i»hi  uvu,  ».'l  .'ii). II 

37  cu. i  Willi  |/l»i'«.  fti rt«.     .                     ;*)   'MioiiArx  — North  AmcriconSylva.  3vii|«. 
Ili^irtiiri )/«  lUII      l*n»,  «lmh.        |     Mvn,  iil. 17a 

tl  IjTi;  cliHli  (III.  »l  7",    .        .        .  I'J,  nrMuMTAiiiR    -Hl-luClilllM    (if.      \-lmn,  dlllll, 

— — t'niyiMi  Mi«'«IUii)r.    lUam,  r.Uiih,  fill  ri«  ,  rlmli  l'IIi,  Jl,     .        .        .        .       3fl 

t\ 'Si. H,  IV   MoiiALa  nC  M.iiinitM      ICino,  riciili,  2.'!  ri«.       42 

-■  I'niyon     U'>ai>ii.(  iWik.      I.'mo.        , '.Nittai.!.  — Niirih  AiiiLTH'an  Hylvii   J  vciN. 

Iialt  buuiul.  7.'>r'a Ji       "»".  I.'l. 17a 

. <,'»liiinliuii  ariil  hia  ('<iin|iant<>nii.        I 'Owkx  — lliuuciii  I'lilillc  Arrhliiriure.  Iin, 

,'lvula    Ulllu,  i'ImIIi.  »|  j  3lr.,i<   1>'>,  riM'h.  {      rliili.  (I'l II 

»«. Ill,  19   I'lT.'HAM  ((I    I'.,— Tho  W.irlils  I'r":.Tf3!i. 

(.'oiviurM   nf    (JraiiwU.      I.'m'i,  Hv.i  II 

cliHli. I'j ((rli-iii.ilS.Tina.         •■■•II 

' Kiiifl«T<>'»'k<T'«lli«'iry"f  Si-w-  I'aukmak  — Cilii" ma  oiiil  Oregon  Trail. 

Viirk.  I.'iii'>,r|..ih.(l 'r>: '|oi||fiit,«|  ;.-,     I'l,     l.'iini,  do  li,  |i| '^'i 8 

<iror»r  W4-litixum   a  ilbr/Miihy    11    ■|'ii:KK.imu     Tli'!  Iliin-H  nf  Mim.  lio.flO,  17a 

•~— M'tlloiiiW  Kifl  hta  AiirrMMufffl      ^  t>KAi;n<:K.—ll(Mill'iii^  Hall,  Ace.  I'Jliio,  cloth, 

villa.  Ulllo.rl.Mh.  r^.X    ■         .  I.I,  r.l        .'.llili.  

Oliver  <tolil*iiiiih  :  A  l*i"«riiirhy  Kokinmon   (Mtm  )--The    Sriiivic    Niition.^, 

—  I,     ■■    7*.      I'l     I 


lAnii,  cloili.  tl  z's  rliKiirili. «1  ;.'•   I'l.  r.i,'jr     -> loili 

■  Hkfirh  lli^'ik.   12IIK',  rl'/ili,  #1  z'f ;         I  KiciiAiuiA.  -'I'Ihi     Sli.ik*-(i»'iiro     Culi-nil:ir. 

cloth  Kill,  tl  T.'i        ....         I'J,  ;il(      liMii".  il.iili..'->ri:.  ;  cloih  1:111,02  ciH.    . 
l''i(i-<«ofii Traveller    IVriKi, rl.fili.        1  Hoiii.shon    (.'riiM<it!'j«    l-'.irtii-Varil.      Iliiiio, 

II -.iTi;  .l.pihBlll.  «l  7r>    .  -  I'J,  ri|!      .VI  m. 

• llliiMriiii.'l  KiiW'ki-rti'irkrr.     Hi|.         '  'lloiiiiiiAcii  -Ilililioili,  rii  Aiiicricaiu.  Kvo, 

rivii,  I'l.iih,  t:!.'/!)    cimhifili.  tl;  iiior  Ci      'S!  ,     rloili.tl 

' llliiKiramlOlii'rrliol'lociiitli  tdj.         1  IIi'hai.  II'mk":  A"ii"ri!i  o''  Naiiiru  in  Four 

fivn,  rluih.  t'^Tiii:  rliMh  Kill,  tl,  rmir  t<^     'H-     Hi-.t'^m:     I.'mo,  rloih.    -        ■        .        . 
ll!ii«iraii'<IHk>"''h  Hixk    tfc|iiar<i        ,  jtEUOwicKiMi")  — WurkK.    Ni'wiil.  r.2iii< 


Hvo,rliiih.*.l.'ii>;  rl"<hiiili.(:ir<i;  imrr  t*i  Z 
* llliiM«raif.'«l  Traveler      Hi.  ifo, 

rloih.  t:i  .'ill ;  rli>ih  Kill,  •! ;  nvir  f,  .  •/! 
*JaiiNKro»K  — t'littFrwIAlUA     Foil",  linlT 


iiior  t'li' 


('iairrriv     I'Jmn,  clo'li.  81  *. 
Ui'Iwo.hI.     I.'mo.  rlo'li.  tl  '-'.'<. 
Niiw  Kml'Iiiii.I  Toll.'.     |-;iiM.  il.nli.  tl  '.'i. 
Hpk.ni;kii  — Tin:  r.aj«i.     hvo,  clolli. 


Kai.oui.ah  :  alt  Aiiii'lM'>ffra|ifiiral  KoriMiirfi 

l.'l loili.  #1 '^T, :  rliiajicl  \Ki\irt, Ulr.it     '23 

KKAra      I'lHihal  Worka      I2l»«,rliilli,  II : 

iloilii.Mll,«l2fl.  ....  :{|,.T7 
IM»  sml  It^ixn.     I2nin„cl»(h. 

tl 'ri:  cloth  Kill,  tl  .VI  .  :i|,.-|7 
Kl.SOl.AKB  -K'rtlull  l^ino,  rloih  r/l  rta  7,  .')l 
<»rlilil.il  l.lfi:   ltlu«r.ilnj.     Ili/no, 

cl.iili  (.'ili.tl  .Vi        ....  ),,  ;j| 

KiMi  ol  llii:  ll'iroiia,     I2rfui,  rUAh,  |1  ;  |a|. 

|"'i.  "■■>|"' '21 

KisimiiiKV  —Artillery    Pnrilct.       IZmo, 

clolli.  7.'»  cla. 33 

Ki.ii'arKis    -Aiii,'l<>-flBxofi(ininirnar  r2nio, 

cloth,  *\S>. ;h 

—    Ilalilali    (foil'iwl.      I2lly>,   tlolh, 

tl.Si 31 

Aiiilixi*  Aiigl«.8««'<tii«ii.   8»i)l«, 

rjino.  clolli.  r.'. 31 

.Kllric'a  lloijiily,      liimo,  eloih, 

BOcw. 3» 

(Jlowiry  10  ALJil'-riA.  •       .        .    ."i) 


II    »r  Jons  -Ailvnituri-*  in  ilic  l.ilijan  Do- 


«*n.     l.'uio,  cloth.  7-*i  ct 
Ht  I.KriKii;  or, 'Ihu  Thrcailii  nfl.ii'D.  I'Jmu 

rlo:li,tl. 

Tavi.ou  — Vii'Waa-Fooi.  I'.'tno,  cloili,  gl  o'lj 

clolh  mil,  tl  7."'. 

I'oniii  an<l  ll.illail-i.     r.'ino,  cloth, 

7.'i  CI1. ;  clolh  L'lti.  31 '.i'l. 

New  Work  oil  Ciiliroriiia.    With 

lltuMirailoi),*. 

TrirKKiiMAN  -Tlui  0|iinii^i.     I'.'ini. 
TiTMAiiMii  — Joiiriioy  Irom  Conilutl  to  Cai. 

ro.     I'Jino.  clolh,  .V)  CIS. 
ToiiHRViVftiiAY.— Flora  of  North  Aincrica, 
Triii«Bri,i,  — Ociiiii.'i  ol  Ifaly.     I'Jiiio,  cloili, 

tl  :  illii'iraicil  clolh  <.'ili.  t'2. 
TrTiiiLI..— The  Nurfcry  Hook.  ICnio.cloth, 

iVi  CI  I. 

Siirci'nn  in  rift! :  Merchant,  liimo, 

hair  IkiiiiiiI,  f'lJ  CIM.  ;  cloth  i!llt,  $1. 

Do.    Till!   Lawyer.      l*2mo,  half 


39 
■2 
23 
41 

:» 

23 
-21 

3 
7 

21 

9 

39 

2 
3 

6 

la 
9 

40 
10 
10 


iHiiiiiil,  n.'  ciH. ;  cloth  irili,  tl. 
UwoBWlliTTEli.~l-iiiro|ie,  Past  .mil  P'espiit 
'Ij'kiti'.u  Si.iii'i  F.xiJlorinc  Expivliiion,  Si'i- 

enllflc.  Si-rifs I7A 

Von  THiHfDt.— Travels  in  Peiu.      12ino, 

cloth,  SI. 

Walton  —Lives   of    Donne,  Ac.      12ino, 


Lamb  — Dr.iiiiatic  Po.ta    I2iiio,cloih,i:  '2Ki 

cloth  mil. tl  .VI.      ....       r)i,.'n 
I>.  iy»  of  Klia.    I'2inn,  clMh,  1 1 ; 

cloth  L'lli.  tl  .Vi        ....         .-(|,;)H 
Lanuak    -1.1'iiera  from  AllechAiiy  Moiiri.  

t«in».     r.'i cloth,  7.'>  ri*  .  2ri  j     cloih,  tl. 

Layahd.— ,Niiii'vi.lian<l  iiaKi'imiria.  2vola.         j  Wahbi.-ii  ro;«.— Crrsceir.  nn'I  CrcHs.    l'2ino, 

.Svo,  cloth,  tl.V);  2  vola  In  l.half  inor  cloih.  II -AV 

•">. .'),  I, '.iHi  Wiu.AiU) —Ten  Wars  of  American  Ilisto. 

New  lleKardieaat  .Miirrrh.  2.     ry.     I.'mo.  ,'lotli,  SI.       •       .       .        . 

'Lay»  of  till- Weiiern  W<  ,|/|     llluiniiiatcd        \Yornn  American's  I,ibrary--Thc  Primer. 

(mall  folio.  SID. 30;     -.i-icis. 

LifT  for  the  Lazy.     I'.'rno,  cloih.  7.'i  r.10,  'f,  \  Vor.vn  Naiiirali.ii's  Itamhlef  through  miny 

LowELi,. -I'.ihle  i.,r  <;riiica.     I'.<n.»,  Ixianlii,  Laii'l.".     Iilino,  cloth,  iVI  cis.   ■ 

Wcu.    ;|oih,  fcicu,      ....       as '  VoL'Kc}  Patrouii.    l'2nio,  51)  cu.     • 


7 
39 

7 

10 

41 

42 
•A 


'"I 

at 
•1 


#--• 


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